‘The collaborative environment makes learning smoother at this school’

Not only is she the recipient of the Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values, but she is also a scholastic student will plans to go places. Having recently completed her exams, which was a busy time, she has learnt to manage her commitments effectively even during exam periods. Meet Vaishnavi Chaudhary, a DP-2 (class XII) student at Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International (ASI), Panchsheel Park.

In a candid interview, she talks about how the IB program at this school is helping her chart her study-abroad plans.

How does the school support you academically?

The school is very supportive. The teachers are always there to help. The collaborative and encouraging environment makes learning much smoother. The school encourages us to think about our actions, work, and progress through its components like CAS and ToK. This reflection helps us write stronger application essays and articulate our development.

How has the IB program’s Approaches to Learning (ATL) helped you?

The ATL skills, like research, thinking, and literacy skills, help shape how we process and approach subjects. They’ve made studying easier because instead of just focusing on content, I’ve learnt how to study effectively. The activities, syllabus, and curriculum in the IB enhance these skills. For example, in English, projects like writing essays or doing oral assessments have helped refine my thinking and communication skills.

What is the biggest challenge in balancing the IB curriculum?

Balancing everything is hard because there are so many components: Internal assessments (IAs), CAS portfolios, ToK essays, and exhibitions. It’s challenging to manage everything at the same time while staying ahead. The collaborative teaching method at this school helps a lot — teachers and students often explore new content together, and this makes it easier to overcome challenges.

How do you manage these challenges?

I set timetables and follow a deadline calendar to stay on track. This helps ensure I don’t lag and manage my workload effectively. Additionally, my strategy involves breaking big tasks into smaller goals, which makes everything more manageable.

What are your favourite subjects, and how do they align with your future goals?

My favourite subjects are Biology and English, which are my higher-level subjects. I want to pursue biotechnology and biomedical research, so Biology is naturally interesting to me. In English, I enjoy projects like the higher-level essay, where we can choose a text or book to analyse and write about. This creative freedom makes the subject fun and engaging. Both subjects align well with my career aspirations and academic interests.

How do you manage the demands of IAs, external exams, and extracurricular activities? 

I take things step by step. For IAs, I use the criteria as a checklist and set goals. For external exams, practising past papers is key — they mirror the type and style of questions we’ll face in the final exams. This approach has helped me stay organised and efficient.

How has CAS impacted your personal and social development?

It has impacted me positively. It’s not just academics — it’s about developing skills in physical activities, and arts, and giving back to the community. For example, I participated in the Share the Warmth donation drive and a food waste management campaign at school. These activities connect us to global issues, make us more socially aware, and help us grow as individuals.

How does the emphasis on independent research prepare you for foreign universities?

The IB is unique because of its focus on research. Each subject has IAs, which are like mini research papers. We choose topics we’re passionate about and explore them deeply. This experience helps us understand how to write research papers, use credible resources, collect primary and secondary data, and apply citation formats like MLA. These skills are crucial for university-level assignments and projects.

How has the global perspective emphasised in the IB program at Apeejay’s IB School influenced your worldview?

The diverse subjects, topics, and syllabus expose us to international ideas and expectations. This broadens our understanding and prepares us for global environments. IB also encourages us to look at issues from different perspectives, making us more adaptable and empathetic.

How is the IB program helping you with university applications? 

The IB program gives us experience in writing essays, conducting research, and reflecting on our actions. At present, I’m in the middle of my university applications, and the skills I’ve developed through IB have been incredibly helpful. The school also organises workshops, university fairs, and sessions with representatives from foreign universities.

These events clear up doubts, provide guidance, and boost our confidence in the application process. For many of us and our families, applying abroad is a new experience, so these resources make a big difference. The fairs help clarify the application process and make us more confident in our choices. They also give us insights into what universities are looking for in students.