Episode
The eight competencies developed at Ritsumeikan Academy.
We introduce how they are developed through daily experiences, along with diverse episodes.
*These episodes are based on responses actually submitted by students at every level of education—including elementary, junior high, and high school students, as well as university and graduate students—in the Quantitative Survey for Ritsumeikan Academy Competency Framework conducted in the 2024 academic year. Information that could identify individuals has been removed or modified before publication.
Competency
Episode
- Classes
- StudyAbroad
- ExtracurricularActivities
- ClubsAndSocieties
- StudyingOutsideOfClass
- Research
- SchoolEvents
- ExtracurricularLessons
- Community
- Family
- FriendsAndPeers
- TeachersAndMentors
- Goals
- Effort
- Achievement
- Growth
- Collaboration
- SeekingAdvice
- GivingUp
- Worries
- Happiness
- Anxiety
- Confidence
- Change
- EntranceExamsAndQualifications
- JobHuntingAndInternships
- PartTimeJobs
Over the past year, I've grown in my ability to understand things scientifically through lab seminars at the Intelligence Computer Entertainment Laboratory under my professor. These weekly gatherings exposed me to diverse research topics and methodologies in computer science. I learned to analyze experimental designs critically, interpret data, and question assumptions. Discussions with fellow students and faculty sharpened my analytical skills. Presenting my work forced me to explain complex concepts and defend my approaches clearly. This regular practice of scientific thinking and communication has deeply enhanced my competency in this area.
Understanding
From my interactions with my friends, I realized that I'm more connected with people who likes to argue and debate ideas. Until now, my closest friends are the ones who are open minded and likes to argue about anything. We can argue about almost anything, from religion, philosophy, science, government policy, and even anime characters. Since we hate to lose debate, we always try to refine our logic and understanding so that we can win the next time we enter into a debate. I think our mutual traits as well as the high frequency of interactions allow us to think more objectively about many things and to look at things from multiple perspective.
Understanding
I faced a challenging yet transformative time of growth. The demanding coursework, combined with the pressure to conduct independent research, pushed me to my limits. Balancing academic responsibilities with personal well-being required resilience and adaptability. There were moments of doubt, especially when facing complex problems or receiving critical feedback. However, the supportive environment of my peers, mentors, and advisors was a strength. Collaborative discussions and encouragement helped me hone my skills and maintain my focus. Through this journey, I discovered the importance of self-discipline, time management, and believing in my ability to overcome challenges.
Self-efficacy
First, I did not know much about the research, and I was afraid that I would not do it well. When I started my Master's degree at Ritsumeikan University, I turned to have more self-efficacy because of RU's supportive learning environment. All professors are so exceptional and they also give support and detailed explanation when I am stuck. Thus, now I have more confidence and knowledge to do research better.
Self-efficacy
I acquire self-efficacy when I started my master degree at Ritsumeikan University, during my research I realized that although my professors would give me advice, their advise was not a direct guidance, but something that made me think more about me and how I could achieve put my thought in order and how to find different approaches. This skill help me develop myself and get to know more my capabilities in multiple perspectives.
Self-efficacy
To understand oneself is a very difficult thing to do. While it is important to reflect on one's behavior, it cannot be done too often, as rumination is damaging to mental health. Thus, it is important to have lived experiences, and spend a minority of the time reflecting. However, this time reflecting is crucial to understanding yourself. When I first came to Japan, I was 22 years old. I didn't know much about the country or life in general, but I said "yes" to almost every opportunity I had. Because I did this, I had a lot of content to reflect on. When living in a foreign country, you must push yourself. When you push yourself, you can learn a lot about who you are and your limits after reflecting on your experiences.
Self-efficacy
I learned this during my first year of study when I was really stressed out in this lab. However, with the support of the student support room, seniors, and my family, I was able to calm down and realize that my stress was caused by trying to please my professors and doing things I didn't like. After I understood this, I started working as much as I could and focused on doing what I was good at.
Self-efficacy
During my nearly two years at the Graduate School of International Relations at Ritsumeikan University, I have developed resilience through the rigorous research work assigned by my supervisor. These projects were often challenging, requiring me to deeply engage with complex academic materials and manage tight deadlines. Initially, balancing multiple responsibilities while maintaining the quality of my work felt overwhelming. However, I gradually learned to break tasks into manageable parts, prioritize effectively, and seek clarification from my supervisor when needed. This approach not only enhanced my understanding of the research topics but also significantly improved my time management skills. By staying disciplined and adapting to feedback, I successfully completed each assignment on time. These experiences have strengthened my ability to recover from difficulties and approach future challenges with greater confidence and efficiency.
Initiative
When I first got into AISLab, I had to decide which research topic I would work on. That includes learning about my preferences, my abilities, and my future goals. I made the plan and proposed it to the professor, and received some feedback; the whole process involved me being very proactive in defining the tasks and goals. I reflect on that goal constantly to keep everything on track. I achieved 2 papers published after one year in the master's program; I think it mainly reflects how I took the initiative.
Initiative