Cocurricular courses are classes that both have a class tied to it and time spent on it after school. These differ from extra-curricular activities as there is time spent during the school day. Many classes are co-curricular, including marching band, choir, and debate. While there is time allotted during class, most of the work from these activities is done after school.
While these courses are elective courses that students can choose to take, they can still come with a lot of extra work outside of school. Freshman Drew Squire is involved in a debate class.
“Early on in the year, there are open debates that anybody can sign up for. Then later, you have to be invited to participate in different debates,” Squire said. “It (Having tasks of debate outside of school) can be stressful because you always want to win and come out with a winning record, so I put a ton of work to make sure I can place.”
Debate students spend time during school practicing debates and working on researching and putting together their arguments. According to senior Claire Ain, working on the class in school and after can add some stress to her life.
“Debate usually adds anywhere from one to three hours a day,” Ain said. “When I am really busy, like this year with college apps, I have felt very stressed, but I think Debate is just a nice way to get involved in my school and learn more.”
Senior Eddie Mu is also involved in debate but is also one of the drum majors for the Marching Band.
According to Mu, Many students involved in cocurricular courses have to spend time to make sure they can stay on top of their schoolwork for other classes as well.
“I’m always checking my Google Calendar, and trying to stay ahead of things,” Mu said. “Balancing the schedule is very difficult but important.”
To stay on top of his schoolwork, Mu has to be diligent in communicating with teachers and finishing schoolwork. Having the time in class to work for both Debate and Marching Band is very important.
That time in class is critical,” Mu said. “That 90 minutes every other day is just constantly grinding, updating, and researching.”
