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
When: During my second year at university, in the fall semester of 2021. Where: At my university campus, specifically while working on a group project for an entrepreneurship class. Who: I was part of a team of five classmates, none of whom I had worked with before. The group included students from different disciplines, which made our approaches and perspectives quite diverse. What: Our task was to design a business plan and present a fully developed proposal to a panel of professors and local entrepreneurs. The project was critical, as it accounted for 40% of our final grade. How: When we first started, our group faced significant challenges in coordination. People were hesitant to share ideas, there was no clear division of tasks, and deadlines were slipping. Recognizing the need for organization, I stepped up, suggesting a plan to get us back on track.
Multitasking
It is a trait i have acquired from my home. I know and understand with effort, results show themselves. So, there is no need to doubt myself.
Self-efficacy
I had lost a lot of precious people and things in my entire life that made me realise I must keep going through and push through all my failures no matter how vast.
Resilience
When I failed a mid term exam, I try to learn from my mistakes and do better in the second half of the lecture.
Empathy
When there is a lot of homework to be done, it is more important to focus on completion than perfection.
Multitasking
When I first had a report reviewed by a professor in pbl in first year, he said I needed to try hard more. However, I already gave my best and I lost hope. Then, I realized that I was studying the wrong way so I changed the way I do things.
Self-efficacy
Last two semesters, I took courses that were very teamwork heavy, and I had a fair share between good teamwork experiences and terrible ones. Working with responsible and insightful peers enabled me to learn more not about the topic the team has to cover but also new perspectives and skills from my friends. Working with irresponsible and lackluster teammates, however, sharpened my leadership skills and my resilience as I worked alone and carried the teamwork most of the time, despite motivating and calling on my teammates.
Teamwork
I feel like this past year, and specifically these past 2 semesters, a lot have happened to me. I took on harder courses and I had to move out of the dorm and navigate house-hunting and moving as an international student with low Japanese proficiency. Additionally, I faced a few relationship struggles and had to cut off a few friends due to conflicts in mindset and their behaviors. All of these struggles were happing around June to August - also a time in which mid-terms and finals at school were conducted. I was very stressed, about school, finding a part-time job, finding a house and dealing with toxic friends. Retrospectively, I am impressed I was able to pull myself through such situations. I suppose I could do so by setting more realistic academic goals after periods of burnout, looking for help for house-hunting from Japanese-proficient friends and talking to - cutting off toxic friends. My life and my decisions during this period, has reinforced my resilience as an international in Japan.
Resilience
My grade for Spring 2024 was not the best, especially after getting a high GPA the previous semester (Fall 2023). My life basically dropped for a few days, but from that fall down, I started to feel more motivated and reflective of my life. I decided that rather than focusing on the bad things I should instead avert my mind towards the positive things and change my perspectives. I remember one quote; "don't focus on the past or you'll miss the future." So, I decided to move on and do my best, and even if I fail that just mean that I have to try again.
Resilience