Ankit Kumar's Student Portfolio

My smart targets are:

1. Study effectively without distractions (not breaking up study time outside of breaks by using devices, etc.)
2. Start studying using resources other than past tests

The most important focus week for me is the environment one, as it is the focus week that connects to an issue that I pursue outside of school. I feel that the issues that we focused on were too narrowly defined, on how we as a community can affect our impact on the environment. I feel that what UWC has been teaching us in the past (and what I feel we should be focusing on) is more on a wide scale of what UWC can do to help the overall state of the environment on a global scale. While doing Veggie Wednesday is a good way make people feel good about themselves, saving water isn’t the biggest issue facing the environment: the fact that the critically endangered animals are facing a constant threat is something that I feel should be prioritised over whether or not we can save some gallons of water by not eating meat. The death of the last northern white rhino was completely passed over by the PSP program, in favour of continuing to attempt to persuade students of the effect of a initiative that continues to disenfranchise students to this day.

 

I feel that the environment week was a step in the right direction, as it was concerning an issue that affects all of us. But attempting to save the environment is an all-encompassing goal, that has no clear markers of success. I feel that if we can get the UWC community to fixate upon certain markers of success, and continue to work towards them, we would be a lot more inclined to help the environment that having to learn about statistics of Veggie Wednesday, for which we can only experience negative outcomes. I feel that if we can get the community to interact with what they plan to save, then it will be a lot more effective than simply teaching them about abstract concepts. What got me interested in the preservation of the environment was the national geographic articles that I used to read when I was younger. This lead me to have an interest in photography, which exposed me to the wide range of people who are attempting to save these animals. When I take a picture like the one below, I see an opportunity to not only have other people enjoy what I’m doing, but a chance to ensure that others an also get the chance to understand what motivates me to take my photos.

I have a lot of photography equipment that, while not intended for this specific purpose, could be used to photograph the 2018 lunar eclipse. I have located two spots on my google maps (see fig. 1 & fig.2 below) that I feel would be ideal for taking wide angle photos of the eclipse; I have the necessary equipment to take close up photos from almost anywhere in Singapore.

 

 

The imaging equipment I’ll use for the eclipse will be:

1. A Canon 80d with a 24mm, f/1.4 lens for the scenery/context shots
2. A Canon 7d II with a 100-400mm II & a 1.4 x converter for the maximum eclipse mosaic

 

I am really looking forward to the eclipse, but I am surprised at the lack of enthusiasm from the school’s photography community. Most likely, Singapore has been painted with the reputation of being a bit overdone in terms of city shots but I feel that the eclipse will add a new light to the regular city scene.

For my service requirement, I am doing MS Math Mentors. It is very different from what I thought it would be, but it was a pleasant surprise. I was able to help teach students things that I didn’t know when I was a student. I have also managed to learn some students names, and I can now readily help the students who struggle a bit more than others. It has also helped me see that many students are interested in math, but just have trouble understanding the concepts. I think that they could all benefit from some revision outside of class, but they have no incentive to do so.

It’s quite nice to be a math mentor, as many of the students are quite friendly with me. I think that it was a good choice for my service.

Yesterday I was announced as the runner up for TPOTY youth (14 and under). That was okay, but I was hoping to win, like last year. I’m also trying to edit videos and branch out into a new field. Some examples are below:

The best bit of the transition between middle and high school is the freedom you get to manage your time and you can really consolidate what subject you like. The biggest challenge for me was probably when I cut my Achilles’ tendon and had to use crutches: getting down to DT in the rain- not nice at all. The biggest suprise this year was when I injured myself and was unable to go anywhere quickly, and how accomadating people were (except for one teacher who asked for my lift pass despite seeing that I was on crutches).

I’m looking f0rward to be being better so I can at leat enjoy school more.

I have learned that I need to have better time management, and that our community is suprisingly kind to people in crutches.

Advice for next years students: your subjects are more work than you think. Trust me.