Over the last few years, esports has been catching up in popularity in colleges. Interestingly, competitive gaming has evolved into a billion-dollar business and is expected to grow even further in the near future. Consequently, esports in schools are expected to be rapidly expanding.
Although many educational institutions are still resisting the idea of organized esports, it is primarily due to the fact that many are unaware of how helpful it can be. If you are a student wondering whether or not to join your college team, this article can help shine some light on the subject.
- Improved Brain Function
One of the most significant benefits of video gaming is that it can help you improve your visual perception. In fact, it turns out that gaming can enhance your memory and even lead to better attention. As you can guess, these skills can be tremendously helpful for your studies as well.
Being a gamer can also help with task completion. However, for those finding it difficult to manage their extracurriculars and studies while in college, there are plenty of resources to turn to these days. For instance, you can simply type in ‘write my paper’ on Google and find dozens of reputable platforms that can help you with it. This will allow you to stay on top of your academics and not compromise on your social activities.
- Improve Problem Solving Skills
Since video games often put you in different settings requiring you to change perspectives, it can be an excellent way to improve your critical analysis skills. This prepares you to navigate through complex scenarios, in academics and while playing.
This can further help with your problem-solving skills, which can be beneficial not only in your studies but throughout your life.
- Time Management
A majority of esport contests are fast-paced and need you to react quickly. You need to manage several things simultaneously to keep up with the challenges. As you know, without strong reflexes, you cannot progress in many games.
This can help you in perfecting your planning, time management, and strategizing skills. You need to think and execute at the right time so that you can reach the later stages. Many of these attributes are applicable in real-life planning too. So, when you are to manage your time for classwork and other activities, you will be better equipped to do so.
- Learn About Collaboration
Being a part of your college esports team means that you get to work with others and improve your collaborative skills. When it comes to studies or in your career, team management can be a vital attribute. It can help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, and how to work side by side with others.
Moreover, successful esports teams are centered around effective communication. As such, you will learn how to complement each other’s abilities during competitions. The same goes for real-life teams as well. It prepares you to learn about sportsmanship, leadership, and communication.
- Inclusion
Gaming often comes off as an isolating pastime. If you often play alone it might not give you enough time or means to get out and interact with people in real life. On the other hand, when you join your school esports team, you get to engage in the same activity alongside your peers.
Through your shared interest in gaming, you might feel more included and accepted at your college. This can help you with other parts of your life as well, including classrooms. For instance, you might feel more motivated to maintain your academic performance and receive good grades so that you can continue to be a part of the esports team. This is important because most college esports teams would require you to have passing grades to be a member.
- Fosters STEM Learning
It is widely acknowledged that esports and STEM work well together. That is, many students who play video games are often intrigued by the technology behind it. If you are already enrolled in college, you might have already chosen subjects around this. It is observed that a large number of gaming participants often pursue degrees related to science, technology, engineering, or math.
As such, universities are looking at esports as a means to encourage students to consider careers in fields related to STEM. If you are interested, being in your college esports team can turn out to be beneficial.
- Fosters Creativity
While one group of students might be curious about technology, there is another category that might be more curious about the creativity behind a game – such as designing the gaming environment, characters, or storyline.
In fact, game design, architecture, or even graphic design are all areas that can be influenced and inspired by your interest in esports. Joining your college team can help you gain more opportunities in expanding your network and find ways to figure out which career path you want to choose if it is related to the field.
- Appealing Job Candidate
Of course, for the majority, the reason why you are studying is to find a lucrative job. Now, no matter which career direction you choose, playing video games can make you an attractive job candidate. This is because almost all the skills we discussed earlier are transferable to practically any field.
Moreover, if you are a member of your college esports team, you might become more employable since you possess a wide spectrum of skills. Whether it is medicine, aviation, engineering, technology, or design, your abilities can turn out to be the most coveted.
- Build a Reputation
If you are interested in being a professional gamer, then joining your college’s esports team can be the right first step to take. It can open new doors for you and help you find new opportunities.
And, as we mentioned earlier, good academic performance is a prerequisite if your college is to support you or write you recommendations in the gaming industry. In fact, top game designers even recruit the rising stars right from colleges based on esports tournaments, just like any other field.
Put otherwise, this is a quid-pro-quo, and students will find it a motivating reason to excel in academics so that they can get ahead with their gaming career too.
- College Scholarships
Importantly, many colleges and universities are opening up spots for students who are eager to take up esports seriously. Over 100 educational institutions are already members of the NACE, which is the governing authority for collegiate esports.
More than 250 colleges also have clubs and societies that encourage esports. And nearly 200 universities in the US offer esports scholarships that are collectively worth 15 million USD a year.
So, if you are inclined to be a member of your college esports team, all these point out the fact that there are a plethora of resources waiting for you. You can not only find ways to fund your academics, but it can also lead to exciting job opportunities in the future.
All in all, esports seems to be changing drastically. It is no longer brushed aside as a pastime by students or colleges. It can, in fact, go hand-in-hand with academics and help students achieve their potential in extracurriculars as well.
