The maturation of high school students involved in extracurricular activities as witnessed from a guidance counselor's perception

Abstract

Social self-concept, leadership, responsibility, academic achievement, postsecondary aspirations and absenteeism are important aspects of a high school student’s maturation process. The responsibility of assisting a child or adolescent through these aspects of their high school years falls on many shoulders Few are more important than those of a guidance counselor and extra curricular activities The direction that a counselor or an activity may take a child will influence that chi!d’s rate of maturation and will influence that child the rest of their lives. This study used a questionnaire developed by the researcher to investigate a guidance counselor’s perception of the effect of extracurricular activities on the maturation of high school students. It also examined school counselors experiences with extracurricular activities in their personal and professional lives. The study was conducted on high school guidance counselors in Northern Illinois. Results indicated that there were high correlations between a high school student’s involvement in extracurricular activities and their level of maturation. The results also offered interesting information on demographics and how that might influence a guidance counselor’s perceptions of extracurricular activities and maturation of high school students.