College is mostly seen as a stepping stone in life, a way to ensure financial stability and garner wisdom to serve us in our later years. However, college is more than just academics and book learning. Collegiate lessons can also be found outside of the classroom. Extracurricular activities build interpersonal relations, hone social and team-building skills, create important professional contacts, and teach lessons the classroom doesn't always touch upon. While being on campus makes extracurricular activities convenient, extracurricular activities are not just for campus students. There are plenty of activities distance learners can participate in.

Most majors have clubs geared toward that specific course of study. These clubs are a great opportunity for students to get to know peers in their field. It's an excellent way to get feedback and build connections that can last into professional years. These contacts can help open doors with future companies. 

Schools will also have honors societies and academic fraternities. To get into these, students must maintain a particular grade point average. This is a great chance to work toward a goal. Extracurricular activities such as these are great resume builders. It shows future employers a strong work ethic and a desire to achieve certain goals. It also encourages students to maintain strong grades.

Distance learners can also get involved with school publications. With this technological age, it is easy to email submissions to school newspapers or websites. This is a good way for students to work as a team and learn how to meet deadlines. It is a great way to meet people in different majors. 

With the majority of distance learning done online, it is also very simple to use social media as an extracurricular activity. Many colleges will have virtual groups and forums to join. This is a great way to meet other people. Students can share information about classes, professors, employment opportunities, and more. Socially connecting with another group of people is an integral part of the college experience. Often times, the bonds you make in college last a lifetime.

The benefits of college come from how much you are willing to put into it. Extracurricular activities provide many benefits to help students now and in the future. Future employers look for more than good grades, they want to know prospective employees are proactive outside of school. Creating a network outside of the classroom will build social and professional skills. When graduation rolls around, it is truly rewarding to know you did all you could to create the ultimate college experience, even at long distance.