An Investigation of Extracurricular Activities in Relation to Sense of Identity of College Freshmen

Abstract

Based on a sample of 330 freshman students enrolled in a First-Year Studies Program, 32 of 38 extracurricular activities of students were found to be significantly related to sense of identity, including those pertaining to socializing, religious/spiritual activities, leisure pursuits, study groups, volunteering, sports, traveling, and passive entertainment. Discussion of results includes an explanation for their findings as well as theoretical and practical implications.

Keywords

• extracurricular involvement
• identity
• development
• engagement
• chickering
• vectors
• behavior
• socializing
• peers