Arsh Bansal - Grade 10 Mathematics & Computer Science Fan

GET INSPIRED BY

G10 COMPUTER SCIENCE

& MATHEMATICS FAN

ARSH BANSAL

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

INSPIRED BY ISB CHALLENGE OPPORTUNITIES: ARSH BANSAL Arsh Bansal is a Grade 10 student with a fervent passion for Computer Science and Mathematics.

Arsh is captivated by the intricacies of coding and problem-solving and loves to explore new programming concepts and to

tackle

complex

mathematical

questions. His biggest dream is to apply his skills and dedication to make a

GET INSPIRED BY Arsh Bansal Grade 10

meaningful change in people’s lives.

Part of the ISB mission is for everyone to be challenged. During your time at ISB, what have you participated in that has helped you feel challenged?

My journey at ISB has been incredible. I actively tried to find opportunities that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I challenged myself physically and learned sabre fencing, participated in the school’s lacrosse team, and even completed the Duke of Edinburgh International Award.

Academically, I am taking AP Physics, AP Statistics, and AP Macroeconomics, which demand a heavy workload. I maintain a strict schedule and make sure to check Schoology twice a day. I sometimes complete my schoolwork on the school bus, and at times I get so tired that I go to bed just after school. However, the next morning I wake up early to complete my work. Combining my course workload with my extracurriculars has taught me a lot about how to effectively manage my time and prioritise my work.

What does ‘being challenged’ feel like to you?

To me, being challenged is a combination of excitement and apprehension. I know there will be a lot of hurdles; however, I also know that I have the opportunity to overcome them and emerge stronger on the other side.

While it can be daunting at times, the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming challenges is immensely rewarding. Being challenged is about pushing my boundaries, testing my abilities, and ultimately discovering new learning opportunities.

Mrs. Schroeder has shared that you have challenged yourself in a variety of ways. What have you participated in outside of school?

Mrs. Schroeder was the first person who saw potential in me and motivated me to push myself, so I would like to thank her for persuading me to reach my potential. Based on her advice, after I scored 99.99 percentile in the NNAT 3 test in Grade 9, I decided to pursue AP Computer Science A from John Hopkins University, in their Center for Talented Youth Programme. While I was a bit apprehensive about appearing in the AP exam, Ms. Scharff (my MS counsellor) strongly recommended that I should go for it. I am very glad that I did, as I scored a perfect 5.

During my summer vacation, I got an opportunity to do an internship with Applied Frameworks, where I developed an AI model that could customise responses based on their book. After seeing the immense potential of AI, I subsequently enrolled myself in a professional and graduate level course of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India and Defense Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), India. This was quite a challenge, as I had to manage the course alongside my rigorous school curriculum that included 3 AP courses and Extended Maths. By properly managing my time, I completed the course successfully and got a professional certification for AI and Machine Learning.

I have also started an AI club in the school, as I wanted to share my knowledge about the interesting world of AI. In my opinion, the future is AI and we should be ready to embrace it.

Why have you chosen to engage in some additional challenges?

I always strive to become a better version of myself. Every challenge gives me an opportunity to improve myself and to enhance my knowledge. Life is full of challenges, and by taking up these challenges today I am preparing myself for potential obstacles in the future, especially after finishing school. My current struggles will also help me develop soft skills such as resilience, adaptability, and time management.

How have these experiences shaped who you are and your future goals?

The challenges I've faced have taught me to persevere in the face of adversity and to never give up on my goals, no matter how intimidating the circumstances may seem. I’ve learned the importance of being adaptable and flexible in my approach to problem-solving. When my strategies fail, I learn from my mistakes and devise new plans to work towards my goals again. I have a clear understanding of my strengths and weaknesses, and I put extra efforts in filling any gaps. I have recently gained more clarity about what truly matters and what I want to set as my goals for the future.

How do you keep yourself balanced with all of these choices? When do you find time?

Maintaining balance is a challenge, but I try to allocate time and energy in an effective manner. I prioritise tasks and goals based on their importance and urgency, and I utilise effective timemanagement techniques, such as setting realistic deadlines, breaking tasks into smaller manageable chunks, and utilising tools like calendars and to-do lists to stay organised and on track. I also try to remain flexible and open to adjusting my plans where needed. At the same time, it is also very important to indulge in recreational activities, to relax, and to unwind. I make sure that I allocate some time to play video games, to watch movies, to go out, and to spend time with my family.