In addition to attending classes and completing the curricular workload, students must meet other requirements to obtain the diploma, such as completing additional hours to expand their learning.
These hours correspond to extracurricular activities that are not part of the mandatory curriculum , but play an important role in the student’s education.
We know that this topic generates many doubts, so we have prepared content that highlights the most important aspects of additional hours.
What are complementary hours?
Complementary hours correspond to extracurricular activities that allow students to expand on the learning acquired in the classroom.
They are fundamental for academic development, providing practical experiences and enriching professional training.
To fulfill them, students can participate in extension courses , free courses, tutoring and volunteer activities, adding up the hours completed until they reach the workload required by the course and the educational institution.
Why are additional hours necessary?
Practical experience within the classroom and learning theoretical materials are fundamental to professional training as great professionals. Nevertheless, learning may not be sufficient as a result of ongoing fluctuations in the job market.
Extracurricular activities, in this case, enable students to get to know professional practices in their course of study and industry where they desire to be employed.
Along with offering a more authentic experience, extra hours lead to the improvement of fundamental skills, like team working, problem-solving, leadership and communication – skills in demand by employers.
What are the benefits?
In fact, extracurricular hours are essential for the proper education of students . Below, learn about the benefits of extracurricular activities to reinforce learning in the classroom.
Prepare students for the job market
As they allow students to familiarize themselves with the reality of the job market, the complementary hours provide essential practical knowledge to increase the chances of getting a good job opportunity.
Improve your resume and portfolio
The additional hours gained through extracurricular activities help to enrich both your portfolio and your CV , making them more attractive to recruiters and potential employers.
This is because, by including internships, courses and workshops, the student demonstrates proactivity and interest in improving their learning beyond the curriculum.
Enhances networking
In addition to creating a good circle of contacts at the educational institution, it is important for people to expand their network by attending places where they can meet other professionals, students and teachers in their field. This way, they can establish relevant connections for their professional future.
Optimizes practical skills
Extracurricular activities allow you to apply theoretical knowledge in a more practical way and in line with current demands and trends in the job market.
Furthermore, they contribute to the exploration and improvement of essential skills for a professional career , such as effective communication, empathy and logical reasoning.
How to get additional hours?
Accumulating additional hours is a challenging task , mainly because there are several ways to obtain them, all of which are extremely valuable for professional development.
Discover the best options to include in your training!
Online courses
With the advancement of technology and the expansion of distance learning platforms, online courses have become an increasingly sought-after option for students who want to improve their learning without having to travel or incur high costs.
Many universities offer complementary courses or allow students to take courses at other institutions, precisely so that they can enrich their academic history with practical experiences.
In addition, several platforms and websites offer paid and free courses , facilitating access to high-quality content, such as specializations in topics in the training area, extension certificates and training aimed at the job market, covering areas such as communication, programming and leadership.
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University research projects are great for accumulating additional hours and adding value to academic learning.
Many institutions offer vacancies to participate in these research projects, mainly under the guidance of a professor.
In addition to allowing students to deepen their knowledge on specific topics in their field, involvement in scientific research also encourages the development of relevant skills such as academic writing, critical analysis and scientific methodology.
Monitoring
Tutoring allows students to apply their knowledge in practice and develop teaching skills, assisting the teacher in various course activities, such as answering students’ questions and correcting exercises and tests.
Furthermore, it provides greater interaction with teachers and colleagues , contributing to the expansion of the network of academic and professional contacts.
Volunteering
Volunteer programs are an excellent option for accumulating additional hours, not only because of the opportunity to apply skills in practice, but also because of their essential purpose: contributing to a relevant cause, whether social or environmental, and boosting personal development.
Volunteering is especially advantageous for students studying courses in the areas of education, health, law and social assistance , as it allows them to experience things that are aligned with their future professional career.
Furthermore, this extracurricular activity is highly valued by employers, as it demonstrates empathy, commitment to society and proactivity – fundamental qualities in the workplace.
Is there a limit to the additional hours?
Educational institutions establish both a minimum number of mandatory complementary hours and a maximum limit of hours for validation per activity . These guidelines vary according to the course and the educational institution, and it is essential that the student obtains information to ensure that the correct workload is met.
Before starting extracurricular activities, consult the course coordinator to check:
- The minimum number of hours required to complete a degree.
- The limit of hours that can be counted per type of activity.
- Which activities are accepted as complementary hours.
Following these guidelines prevents you from exceeding the limit allowed per category and ensures that all activities are properly validated for your academic training.
Where to look?
After learning relevant details about additional hours , it’s time to find out where to look for them.
- Educational institution: check with your course coordinator which activities can be counted as additional hours and whether the university offers any options internally.
- Private companies and NGOs : volunteering and internship programs are relevant alternatives for applying the knowledge acquired during the academic journey.
- Events: participating in conferences, seminars and workshops is great for expanding your network of contacts and learning more about your area of expertise.
- Course platforms : many reliable and safe websites offer courses that can be used for additional hours .