① High school can be a difficult time. However, ② clubs and other activities can make it much easier. No matter how well you may fit in, joining clubs, sports, or other after-school activities will be good for you. Here is why.

Firstly, ③ after-school activities will help you develop your time-management skills. Because you have to plan ahead of time when to finish homework, achieve extracurricular ( 课外的) activities goals, and organise your social life, etc. Secondly, ④ they can also teach you how to work with other people. As you gain more experience, ⑤ you can take on more duties and even an important role. Becoming a club leader is a great way to help you stand out when you apply for a college. ⑥ In short, taking part in activities counts.

If you can’t find any club that attracts you, don’t worry. ⑦ You can start a new one! This will allow you to create something suitable for your interests, and a community of students who share the same interests.

This summer,     1     I challenged myself. I worked on a project to spread kindness. With the help of two kindness organizations,     2     I spent my summer creating 300 goody bags.     3     There were candies, a pencil, and a kindness card in each bag.     4     I didn’t make my name known and     5     I secretly gave every teacher and student a bag. When they saw the card,     6     they smiled. The smiles made that day full of sunshine. The project was worth it.