IB Classroom: How was your experience of the IB Diploma programme as a curriculum?
Kaustubh Jagtap: Students, in good humour, often say that the IB curriculum has been designed not to excel in, but to survive. Personally, I found the course extremely rigorous. Its emphasis on holistic education requires proficiency in subjects from five to six subject groups, which meant I had to take up subjects outside my comfort zone. The curriculum is designed in such a way which requires students to consult teachers and peers for support on a continuous basis, and this helped in developing my soft skills. 

IB Classroom: In your view, what was the most challenging aspect of the IB programme?
Kaustubh Jagtap: Everything and nothing! When I first saw the amount of coursework that had to be completed, everything seemed like a laborious task. But once I mentally prepared myself and took everything in my stride, the workload became manageable. If I have to name one aspect, it would be the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essay, simply because I had never encountered anything like it before.

IB Classroom: What makes learning IB different at GIIS?
Kaustubh Jagtap: There is a sense of healthy competition amongst classmates in GIIS, where everyone helps each other freely. Notes are shared on a Facebook group and messages are also conveyed using WhatsApp. Peers look out for each other.

IB Classroom: How have your IB teachers at GIIS been instrumental in guiding you during the course of the programme?
Kaustubh Jagtap: My teachers are experts in their respective fields and use effective teaching methods. However, what makes them unique is the personal interest they take in the work of each student, taking time off to ensure that the work we submit is of good quality.

IB Classroom: What is the one advice you would like to share with students of the new IB Diploma batch or seek to join the programme in future?
Kaustubh Jagtap: There are no set methods to cope with the workload. Make your own schedule and pace yourself according to your strengths and weaknesses.