Joining a club is a way for students to take a break from studying. Clubs allow students to choose a class according to their liking and be devoted to it.

Some people may want to use this period to be productive and increase their knowledge, while some want to join clubs that require less work.

There are various clubs to choose from in junior high schools, so many students don’t know what to choose. As a junior high student I tried four clubs, so if you are having a hard time deciding, choose one of these:

History club

Students who are interested in history can learn about stories from the past that aren’t always taught in history class. In this club, students will watch documentaries or read historical texts such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Club members can learn about the causes and effects of historical events that aren’t brought up in history class, and the club broadens students’ understanding of different historical events.

Joining this club can also help students get higher grades in history class.

Gardening club

Students rarely have time to get in touch with nature, let alone doing planting and gardening. The gardening club provides students with green fingers a chance to grow and harvest plants and crops in the school garden.

The students get to harvest their plants and turn them into healthy dishes, or turn their balconies into a lush garden. By doing their watering, fertilizing, pulling weeds, and picking out snails, students will understand the tiring process of planting and learn to be grateful to farmers.

Global Scholars Club

The Global Scholars Club’s goal is to increase students’ awareness of global issues and their knowledge about different countries. Students will learn about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a collection of 17 global targets set by the United Nations General Assembly aiming for “peace and prosperity for people and the planet.”

For example, our club collaborated with a class from India. In a presentation the Indian class showed us, we learned about how 1.6 million Indians have died because of air pollution. We also understood how carbon dioxide gas is emitted along with air pollutants. Club members tried to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by reusing and then making a list of their predicted carbon dioxide emissions.

I joined the Global Scholars Club during my first year in junior high, and in addition to the UN SDGs, we also learned about many different cultures. The Global Scholars Club shows other clubs Taiwanese culture by sending postcards, having online meetings, or writing in an e-classroom with foreign students.

Coding club

In the coding club, students who enjoy programming can learn the C++ language. This language isn’t taught in normal junior high coding class but it is included in high school computer classes. In this club, students can learn programming that is more challenging than basic languages such as Scratch or Microbit.

Students in this club also struggle less when they start high school computer lessons.

The club also requires members to compete in coding contests, so students can learn from the best contestants when their programs are shown afterward.

Programming trains students’ logical thinking, and students can work together to complete projects. By joining this club, I learned different coding techniques from fellow members.

The coding club is highly beneficial for students with an interest in programming, and, contrary to popular belief, it does not turn all the members into geeks.

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Choosing a club you like is crucial to helping you learn. The four clubs mentioned above are clubs where students can decide if they want to learn more about topics that go further than basic school subjects. Students also dig into their interests with classmates that share the same hobbies.

Don’t join a club you dislike, and try to find a topic to learn about that you won’t otherwise learn at school. When school offers a class for you to do whatever you like, seize the chance and learn for yourself.