This is a final CAS reflection by a student after a successful two year IB Diploma Programme. The essay is done by one of my quick witted and very up to date student just before his final CAS interview. I have been fortunate enough to interact with, facilitate and guide students who have shown confidence, eagerness to learn, humility and excellent organizational skills.
This Final CAS essay or reflection is useful for CAS Coordinators and schools to see how the student felt at the completion of CAS, which areas he/she has developed, in short, their overall growth.
Chiranjeet B.
IB CAS Coordinator
IB Clever Moderator
An exhilarating hands-on edification
“Join the IB Diploma Program”, replied a friend when asked what would give me a thoroughly enjoyable yet enriching high school experience. Today, as I write my final CAS essay, I can vouch for the fact that he was very true. The most enhancing part of my IB Diploma program-CAS- has brought about a terrific difference in my personality. I have transformed from someone who took pleasure in enjoying for the sake of enjoying to someone who takes pleasure in enjoying responsibly, at the same time growing as an individual.
Writing haikus- pithy three line verses- and contributing to the school’s official newsletter as a writer made me aware of my weaknesses as an essayist at the same time giving me pleasure. But I understood my limitations, identified goals and devised a strategy for improving my writing skills by amassing a good vocabulary and gaining sufficient control over my language. The rewards were visible rather shortly, as my provisional and actual scores in English A1 began to improve. Furthermore, my essay on the making of a ‘global citizen’ was hailed as exemplary and gave me the honors of being a finalist (top 20 all India level) in the global citizens scholarship competition. I was soon appointed as the editor of my school’s newsletter upon requesting the in charge, and received many compliments for good writing and editing. I can thus say that writing for the newsletter and penning down my emotions in the form of haikus were seminal activities that sowed the seeds of a good writer in me, and I am enjoying the fruits even today as I write many college application essays and do other written work.
As part of the service component of CAS, I have been teaching Mathematics to Shankar and Aniket, two sixth graders who happen to take shelter in an orphanage in Nagpur city. This has been a sustained and collaborative project as all CAS students visit the orphanage on alternate Saturdays to teach their students. I must say that the very thought of imagining myself as a teacher seemed daunting in the beginning, but like my other CAS mates, I decided to challenge myself by taking up this new role. What has happened over the past two years will forever be close to my heart, because I have grown as a teacher and a mentor due to this activity. It also feels very fulfilling to have dealt with an issue of global importance-literacy. Shankar and Aniket both received grade A in Math, but they have learnt how to beat the odds and win over challenges too, as a result of constant goading from my side. There were times when it appeared as if I wouldn’t get the time to meet my students, but I tried my best to show commitment and perseverance, with much success. Read More→
