Kids might learn how to conjugate verbs and do long division in the classroom, but organized activities teach kids life skills that have far-reaching effects in life. Research is showing that extracurricular activities are just as important as what kids learn inside the classroom.

The skills, habits and connections that kids develop from extracurricular activities can impact what kind of jobs they land, their earning potential, and yes, even their academics as well. Kids who are involved in extracurricular activities have been linked with better grades and higher graduation rates. And it’s no secret that colleges favor applicants whose resumes are more colorful and well rounded.  Extracurricular activities can even help kids stay away from troubling behavior like drug use or sexual activity.

How exactly do extracurricular activities benefit kids in such a dramatic way? There are at least five reasons how.

• The competitive advantage. Learning to be competitive in soccer or chess will also teach kids to be competitive in life. Everyone enjoys the thrill of winning, but a true competitor has learned to push boundaries and not get discouraged from failure, which brings us to our next point.

• The value of failing. It’s one thing to hear that failure is the best way to learn and quite another to experience it. The ability to recover from loss and persevere because trying increases the chances of winning is known as something called grit, one of the most important characteristics expert cite as critical for success in life.