# Which extra-curricular activities are a waste of time? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 13, 2014, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-extra-curricular-activities-are-a-waste-of-time/690686 "2014-06-13T04:44:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2014, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-extra-curricular-activities-are-a-waste-of-time/690686/42 "2014-07-16T13:41:49Z")
“Time is never wasted, if you enjoyed wasting it”. – John Lennon The only two subjects I gook in High School that proved useful to me in my future life were Latin and Touch Typing. They were widely held, at the time, to be a waste of time, but both contributed immeasurably to the enrichment of my life… What was really a waste of time? US History. I learned more US history from my dad (who had grade 5 education) than from my HS history teacher. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2014, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-extra-curricular-activities-are-a-waste-of-time/690686/43 "2014-07-16T20:10:58Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Beekeeping? I wish I knew what you know Ruken. Do tell. Whatja learn? I’m serious. As part of 4H? Not too much. Most was at the 2-hours-away beekeeping lessons my indulgent mother spent her Saturdays schlepping me to and from. And from books. I learned how to build a hive, order bees and queens by mail, work the hive, and harvest honey. I learned about bee lifecycles, genetics, pollination…all sorts of good stuff. It’s a great activity for kids (and grownups), and most extension services have resources available. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-extra-curricular-activities-are-a-waste-of-time/690686/44 "2014-07-17T08:24:29Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > As part of 4H? Not too much. Most was at the 2-hours-away beekeeping lessons my indulgent mother spent her Saturdays schlepping me to and from. And from books. I learned how to build a hive, order bees and queens by mail, work the hive, and harvest honey. I learned about bee lifecycles, genetics, pollination…all sorts of good stuff. It’s a great activity for kids (and grownups), and most extension services have resources available. That’s a heck of a lot more than I know. It wasn’t until I got into gardening that I appreciated how precious bees are. Thanks Ruken. I’ll pass this onto my brother and sister for their children. ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2014, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-extra-curricular-activities-are-a-waste-of-time/690686/45 "2014-07-17T11:09:12Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I think there’s an erroneous notion that extra-curriculars have to have worth beyond the enjoyment of doing them. They’re like hobbies- something you do because you enjoy them- they don’t have to be productive, intellectual, or anything like that. This post for the win! I agree completely. My three children are now aged 16, 19, and 20yrs. Growing up primarily they did gymnastics which they were good at and my son now at university still coaches gymn and does parkour which he enjoys. He is likely to become a fitness instructor or at least keep that interest up. They also did swimming, speech (elocution/drama), field hockey, scouts, guitar - the youngest now goes busking, a bit of school theatre, jazz dance (daughter just back from Hong Kong today from dancing in the Disney parade), soccer, and probably other stuff I can’t remember. None of this was aimed at school or career enhancement but instead to give them experiences and find their talents. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-extra-curricular-activities-are-a-waste-of-time/690686.md?page=2)