‘Every experience, even uncomfortable ones, add to personal growth’

He is a Dr Stya Paul Award recipient for Human Value. He dabbles in personal interests, especially in sports. As if this achievement wasn’t impressive enough, he went on to develop an innovative product called Paws Pulse to understand the emotions of dogs. Meet Aaditya Nath Mathur, a student of Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School, International, Panchsheel Park who has combined his extracurricular activities and academics seamlessly to excel at both.

In a candid interview, he talks about his passion and goal.

What is happening with Paws Pulse?

I had stopped working on it for some time. But I’ve now found an expert who’s willing to help me revive it. With their support, I’ve been able to explore new areas of research. This collaboration has opened a door for me to take Paws Pulse forward in a meaningful way.

How have your scholastic activities supported your academic growth? 

A couple of years ago, I was still finding my footing. Co-scholastic activities helped me explore my interests and identify things I don’t want to pursue. They have also complemented my academic growth by helping me collaborate better with academic activities, like literature and essay writing competitions. This has hastened my process of self-discovery.

What skills have you developed? 

I’ve developed leadership, critical thinking, teamwork, and time management. Model United Nations (MUN) programmes, in particular, have been instrumental in improving my leadership skills. Personalised approaches to handling time have helped me grow, and I’ve found ways to approach situations with critical thinking.

How have co-scholastic activities helped you become an ideal learner? 

These activities helped me develop traits from the IB learner profile, like being a thinker, communicator, open-minded, and principled. For example, debates have taught me to understand different perspectives and encourage open-mindedness and being principled, and they also help me engage better with my community.

What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them? 

In 2023, I was the narrator for my school play. Drama and creativity were outside my comfort zone. With the support of my peers and reflecting on the experience, I gained knowledge and confidence. This helped me improve my public speaking skills, which now benefit me in activities like debates. It was a significant learning moment, stepping out of my comfort zone and growing from it.

How do you balance academics and extracurricular activities? 

I believe both complement each other. Lessons from extracurriculars boost confidence in academics, and what I learn in school enhances my participation in activities. For instance, something I learnt in MUN might help me answer a Humanities question in class.

How do co-scholastic activities contribute to shaping you as a global citizen? 

These activities don’t make us more alike but instead help us discover our unique identities. By engaging in diverse activities, like sports or civic engagement, students can find what resonates with them. Personally, these opportunities have helped me develop a sense of individuality and understand how I can contribute uniquely to the world.

How have co-scholastic activities influenced your goals? 

Two or three years ago, I didn’t enjoy activities like MUNs, but I told myself to stay open-minded. Over time, I found my footing and learnt to love them. These activities have played a significant role in shaping my aspiration to study international law and diplomacy. They aren’t the only factor, but they’ve been one of the biggest influences on my future goals.

What advice would you give to students reluctant to participate in co-scholastic activities? 

I used to be one of those students, especially when I moved to a new city during the COVID-19 pandemic. But these activities grounded me. My advice is to stay open-minded. Even if you don’t enjoy an activity, you’ll walk away with valuable experience or knowledge about yourself. Being a lifelong learner means embracing every opportunity to grow, even in areas you’re hesitant about.

Which extracurricular activities are you passionate about? 

I’m very passionate about MUNs; they have shaped my interests in diplomacy and international law. I’ve also participated in drama, policymaking, and sports. Recently, I played my first professional 11-a-side football game organised by Sports for All.

What are your career goals? 

I want to be a diplomat for Australia. My goal is to study international law, diplomacy, sociology, and related fields that explore global relations and integrated humanities.