‘Participating in extracurriculars at school prepares the ground for college admissions’

After completing her schooling this year, Stuti Bansal is now gearing up for an undergraduate course in an Indian university. Apart from academics, the talented teenager dons many hats as she is proficient in Hindustani Classical Music and Art. She has been an active student at the school clubs, organising committee and inter-school competitions. In an interview, she talks about her experiences and journey. Read On:

Please tell us about the years spent at Apeejay School, Pitampura.

At school, I always focused on participating in as many events. To begin with, I was part of the Youth Club of the school that works in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat. There I organised events to help the differently-abled. I was also a Senior Apeejay Parliamentarian and was actively coordinating for online events during Covid-19.

I participated in Sanchetna, a student-led leadership programme, wherein I taught art, dance and music to junior students. In addition, I was a member of the Atal Tinkering Lab in school where I took on new projects and mentored others. In class 12, I was a member of the organising committee at Nexus for inter-school competitions. Along with all these, I maintained my interest in speaking and writing by sharing my thoughts in panel discussions, debates, and essay writing competitions.

Did it become difficult for you to manage everything?

Not really. I am always up for learning new things. Even if I ever felt weighed down by the academic pressure, I found respite in music.

What did your daily schedule look like?

My routine was evolving consistently. Between meetings of different school clubs, I would squeeze in the time to study. I used to utilise free periods and try to cover some topics that time. After school too, I studied effectively and took breaks to pursue my talents.

What have been your learnings from these different activities?

The greatest learning has been team-work. I also got an opportunity to contribute towards society through these school initiatives. In the process, I became more sensitised towards the needs of others. I got to know about so many new technologies and innovation projects at my school’s state-of-art lab. While teaching my juniors, I learnt how to lead by example.

How did participation in extracurriculars help you secure a place in college?

While applying for college, the application form had a separate section for extra-curricular activities. As I got the opportunity and platform to be able to participate in such diverse competitions at school, I was prepared for it. I was asked many of these non-scholastic questions in the final interview round. I am happy that the admission board found me a good fit, and I finally made it!

Your inspiration?

My mother. She is a private tutor. Since childhood, I have seen her juggle with so many things. She has been a single-parent, and despite that she always made time for me. I think I have picked up the art of multi-tasking only because of her.

Tips for those sitting for college entrances?

Don’t stress too much. Give your best shot and be confident. Whether it is studies or extracurriculars, keep at it regularly.