CAS is an enriching and important component of the IB diploma program. It stands for Creativity, Activity and Service. This is the component that makes IB different from other academic programs. This program is designed to improve a student’s personal and interpersonal development. This program is also very important because it offers a balance to the academic pressure of the diploma program. CAS is full of fun and a fulfilling component, but many students find it stressful because of their poor planning and lack of awareness. In this article, Our IB Tutors will help you to understand how to Manage CAS hours effectively.
Manage CAS Hours Effectively
It’s very important to understand CAS before starting the planning of preparing this essential component.
The three strands of CAS
1. Creativity: IB inspires students to be innovative and creative with ideas in performances, music writing or any other drama. Originality and authentic products are always appreciated. Students need to be very careful while they are preparing their assignments and activities.
2. Activity: Physical exertion is as important as academics. IB promotes a healthy lifestyle, and a number of physical activities are included, like sports, dancing, and fitness training. Students get extra points for these activities. Students who are involved in physical activities also get preference at the time of their university admission. All the students of the IB Diploma program must have at least one activity.
3. Service: Community is also an essential part, and students should learn to engage and collaborate with society. IB Diploma Program inspires students to volunteer more than themselves in social work and charity events. It’s an essential part of the curriculum.
CAS Requirements at a Glance
- Time management: It is expected that students engage themselves in CAS on a regular basis for at least 18 months. It’s also very important to research to bring creativity to work. Students should also involve themself in physical activities and social commitments.
- Balance: You should be very careful that your activities cover all the important strengths. There should be a balance between creative activity and service.
- There are also CAS projects where students need to collaborate with others, and it requires at least a month of involvement.
Why do Students Feel Overwhelmed To Manage CAS Hours Effectively
1. There is a misconception among students that CAS is useless and is nothing but a burden for a student. So, students don’t take it as an opportunity to explore new things and get involved in social activities.
2. Students find it worthless, so they start to plan for CAS at the last minute of submission. Such assignments are meaningless, so examiners don’t give them much importance.
3. Students also find it a burden because they do not have good management of their academic and personal life. Students spend most of their time preparing for the academy and the rest of their time on their own things. Somewhere, they ask guests to pay attention to extracurricular activities related to CAS.
4. It’s also very important to have a balance in creativity service and activity. Some students do not have a good balance, and they only pay more attention to one part.
Strategies to Manage CAS Hours Effectively Without Stress
Start Early Don’t Wait– The second important point to remember is to start CAS as your lifestyle. This is the actual purpose of adding c a s in your curriculum. You should check the activities which you love to do and also the physical activities like sports or going to the gym. Helping and being kind is also a service. So, if you choose it as your lifestyle, you will become a better human. Except it is a habit and passion of your life.
Make a CAS Calendar– You should have the information on all the CAS activities. Keep a record of all these activities. You can download these records and make a weekly activity plan so that you can schedule all the activities at the right time and not be burdened at the last minute. You can use colour codes to divide creativity and service. It is very important to be consistent in efforts for 18 months at the end of the year. You will feel relaxed and tension-free.
Set SMART CAS Goals– You should set goals for the activities that are clearly decided and achievable. Do not forget about the rubrics provided by your teacher, and always plan your activities, keeping in mind the rubrics and learning outcomes.
Document As You Go– It’s very important to have a record of CAS in a well-prepared order. Always click the photos, record videos, and testimonials. You should also prepare a short report about each activity so you will not have stress at the last minute.
Choose Activities That Serve Multiple Goals– There are a number of activities which cover all 3 strands of CAS. You should be careful about it. For example, if you are choosing a charity, it cannot be covered in creativity and activity. On the other hand, multiple activities can be taken as creativity activities and services. So, plan and do an activity that serves multiple goals at one time. It will save you time and energy.
Collaborate with Friends– You can make your CAS more interesting and enjoyable if you work with peers. You will enjoy the company of your friends and encourage each other. This collaboration can help you to make wonderful projects. But you should also be careful not to copy each other’s creativity.
Don’t Chase Hours – Focus on Impact
It’s also very important to be vigilant about the quality of the work. Do not make your projects only to fulfil the demand of the activity. You should reflect deeply and work on the learning outcomes. For this, you have to be focused on quality, not on the time spent on a particular activity.
Seek Feedback and Support– You can discuss and take the suggestions of your coordinators. They have years of experience, and they can guide you in choosing a suitable activity. You can also take suggestions for the projects and the activities that you have already done.
Use School Breaks Wisely– There are summer and winter breaks for students. Students should use these breaks wisely and not waste their time in idol activities. It’s better to visit an NGO and serve as a volunteer there. It can be your community service. You can also learn a new skill by joining a workshop.
Examples of Low-Stress CAS Activities
Creativity
- You can start blogging or a YouTube channel.
- You can also show your creativity by making posters and slogans for school events.
- You can also show your creativity as a good photographer.
- You can start a podcast.
Activity
- For activities, you can participate in a new sport.
- You can start morning jogging.
- Can also join dance classes or yoga classes.
Service
- You can teach underprivileged kids as a community service.
- You can also organise a food drive and arrange food for poor people.
- You can serve as a volunteer at an animal shelter.
- You can also become a fundraiser for underprivileged people.
CAS is very flexible, and it is the responsibility of students to customise their activities to fit their talents and the availability of resources.
Conclusion
CAS is not a component that will give you stress. You only need to be very careful and start early. You should make a good record of all the activities that you have done throughout the year. Your engagement should be meaningful and learning. It should be based on the quality of work, not on the quantity. Be a curious learner and bring differences to your life with the help of these outstanding activities, which will help you become a good human. Contact our IB Online Tutors for detailed information now.
