Life in high school can be pretty stressful for incoming freshmen to rising seniors. From finishing up your commons app to finally making your first resume and realizing you have no experience, applying to college is a major headache. Sports teams can be daunting and competitive to join, gathering job experience is a nightmare, and obtaining volunteer hours for your college application while competing with the millions of students in NYC can feel like traversing a jungle with the threat of wild animals and vines smacking you in the face.

As a student at PSC, one thing I wish I had as a ninth grader was someone who was there to guide me through applying to all of these different types of opportunities. Greater access to different opportunities would’ve made the transition a whole lot easier rather than feeling like I was drowning while also trying to adjust to my new life in high school.

If you’re reading this article, you probably have the same questions I did. What are the differences between extracurriculars, volunteering, and internships? Are there any that are easy to get to from the school? How do I apply? Does it cost money? Here’s what you need to know:

What are the differences between these opportunities?
To start off, it’s best to not get these all confused. Volunteering, extracurriculars, and internships are not all the same thing. Volunteering consists of giving your time to lend a helping hand, whether it’s a beach cleanup, handing out water at marathons, or helping out at your local soup kitchen.

Extracurricular activities can be a very wide spectrum, usually in tune with your own personal interests. Maybe you have a knack for physical fitness and enjoy helping others at it. Or if you love debating, you could join a team? Anything you do that is not directly tied with academics and reflects your personal interest counts as an extracurricular!

Lastly, internships. Internships are ways to learn about a particular career path and can either be paid or unpaid, depending on which company you work with. It can be good experience to include on your resume for your career or college, reflecting your devotion even if the goal isn’t money. That doesn’t mean all internships are unpaid: There are plenty of internships that provide money throughout your period of interning or at the end of your job as a fixed stipend.

Park Slope is one of the most bustling areas in Brooklyn, so there are plenty of opportunities for all three of these types of extracurriculars. If you aren’t sure what you want to do, you can always check out something like a pop-up event or just a fun activity to try out.

Keep an eye out for more opportunities in this space! Here are a few to check out now:

Fitness
→ Rock Climbing at Brooklyn Bouldering Project

Located within the heart of the Gowanus is a bouldering gym. A huge floor to ceiling space with walls for people to learn how to climb. Unlike rock climbing, Bouldering does not involve a rope, it requires more strength and problem solving skills. On site they also have a regular gym for people to do cardio and strength training. You can either get a day pass or become a member and come in as you please. If you’re unsure and don’t want to pay for your first visit, you can book online! The first visit is free there so you can get a feel for the environment before actually committing to this new experience

For those of you who are considering trying this out, here are some things you should know. The first visit to the gym is free if you book it online which allows you to get a feel for it first before deciding to fully commit. The community is very supportive, and if you ever feel you need help or have a question there are staff located at the main entrance at all times. THe bouldering gym staff also knows that nobody wants to go home sweaty so in the women’s and men’s bathrooms are showers and plenty of hygiene supplies from toothpaste to a couple of hair dryers. In relation to our school building, this gym is in very close proximity to our school’s campus. It’s about a 20-minute walk or a 15-minute bus ride away. I myself enjoy bouldering there and like me it’ll help you improve your strength and gain muscles.

The Arts
→ The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music

Although this is a pretty pricey commitment, learning an instrument under the guidance of those who mastered it can be a wonderful experience, being a part of a music group is also a fantastic extracurricular to add to your college resume as it demonstrates teamwork and patience under different circumstances. Learning how to play an instrument is also a lifelong hobby, something you can even carry with you as you move onto college and adulthood.

Volunteer
→ Prospect Park Alliance

Located in different parks of prospect park is a volunteering opportunity. People of all ages are free to join the Prospect Park Alliance. It’s easy to sign up and a great way to get involved in keeping our community clean and preserving nature.

Giving back to the community is always a great place to start with volunteering and the Park Slope Alliance’s schedule is extremely flexible. After creating an account you can simply just sign up for the days you want to work. This is a very good form of volunteering for students who require volunteering hours.

It’s very easy to get to the specific locations from our school.

This program also often throws special events like Galas in Prospect Park for its participants.