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
Coming to terms with your identity is such a big part of your high school life, and I think realising that the way we act has a large impact on the world around us has taught me necessary lessons on self-improvement.
Self-efficacy
When studying, I realized that music was a key factor in creating my focus. Although it took some time to understanding, I was able to master. By the end it was great way to increase my productivity over time.
Self-efficacy
I did a business contest with my classmates last year. We discussed on what product to make, and shared our ideas.
Teamwork
I think the IB required tremendous resilience, as it required a lot of time, effort, and mentality. I struggled to keep my motivation high, however learning to be resilient towards my challenges helped me overcome the difficult periods during the IB.
Resilience
Through reflecting on my academic journey, I realized the failure to achieve my personal goals near the beginning of my school life encouraged me to study harder, set higher goals, and most importantly, reach those higher goals.
Resilience
During my final year of high school, I faced significant academic pressure while preparing for IB exams, which included moments of failure and self-doubt when my efforts didn’t yield the desired results. One instance was receiving disappointing feedback on a major project I had worked hard on, which initially left me feeling defeated. However, instead of giving up, I reflected on the feedback, sought help from my teachers, and focused on improving step by step. Through persistence and learning from my mistakes, I not only improved my project but also developed the resilience to bounce back stronger from setbacks. This experience taught me that failures are opportunities for growth, shaping my ability to tackle challenges with determination and adaptability.
Resilience
During my final year of high school, I volunteered as a mentor in our school’s peer support program, working with younger students facing academic and social challenges. One student struggled with feelings of isolation and self-doubt, initially finding it hard to open up. By actively listening, reflecting their emotions, and imagining their perspective, I built trust and created a safe space for them to express themselves. Over time, they grew more confident, and seeing their progress reinforced the importance of empathy in fostering meaningful connections. This experience not only helped the student but also deepened my understanding of others and myself, making empathy a lifelong skill I strive to nurture.
Empathy
I have made many connections with people of different ages, cultures, and genders in and out of school. I have witnessed these people talk about their lives and what challenges they faced or how they overcame said challenges. From this, I believe that I became more open-minded and empathetic towards people I am especially close to such as childhood friends and classmates who are going through hard times with school, family, and trauma. My personal experiences also helped me understand others and give them a sense of support and understanding, although we haven't experienced the same events.
Empathy
On the first class at school when I was in 1st grade in high school, I was concerned with my characteristics that makes me being exhausted. If I had not been able to achieve the first assignment then, I might not have been able to accomplish such a greatest degree.
Initiative