The FINAL CAS REFLECTION
In the two years of CAS, I have been dedicated to broadening my scope of skills and learning new things. It’s been interesting to be part of this, and I feel I’ve developed skills that are useful in the real world but also made me more complete as a person. I have engaged all of the CAS learning outcomes and learned more about what it means to be a person outside of academic achievements.
Creativity goals: I have focused on music, and since this was my CAS Project, it should come as no surprise that this is a skill I really honed in on developing. I have learned how to mix and masterpieces more successfully, and learned how to collaborate with other people to create music that is interesting and stimulating to a wide audience. I have broadened my knowledge of music theory and production skills. I consistently practiced guitar and learned how to use my guitar skills to create music myself than just listening to songs and play them. I also developed piano skills on my own, and learned how chords are structured. I learned how to play a few interesting pieces and also writing my own music using a piano. I have also been in production, Reservoir Dogs, after school, where I took on the role of Mr. Blonde from the film. This was a fun way to learn how to work with other actors, and how to convey a character in a way that shows who the character is to an audience. Overall, creativity, music and theatre development over the past two years has been an incredibly rewarding process for me that I take pride in.
Activity goals: My activity goals were simple, it was just to assure that I stayed in shape by going to the gym more frequently and trying out a variety of exercises targeting many muscles. I achieved this goal by taking consistent trips to the gym in Shangri-La as well as in Norway by going with friends, and having long sessions each time I went. I spent up to two hours every time, and used all the equipment there. I lifted weights, went on the treadmill and trained my biceps and triceps as well as my calves, hamstrings and abs. Going to the gym can be exhausting and it is highly repetitive, but the satisfaction gained at the end of each session is amazing. I learned especially the value of breathing and cardio in gym, that during exertion of muscles you have to exhale. So in the process of a pushup, you inhale on your way down and exhale when you go back up. Cardiovascular exercises should also generally be done at the end of the workout, such as running on the treadmill or using cycling machines.
Service: I have been engaged in service for the past four years, and the service I joined in DP2, recycling and sustainability has been the most enjoyable out of all of them. I particularly enjoyed that there was a clear task each time; we met up in Mr. Lockwood’s room, recycle paper from the classroom and dispose it with the recycling truck. I got to go on the truck a few times, and I enjoyed just collecting paper as it kept me occupied while also making me feel that I’m doing something good. I have been involved in Eco Schools in DP1, but did not gain much from this as I felt there was little action and that we dedicated too much time to planning. Recycling in comparison felt like it was a more active service, which is something I liked.
Overall, throughout the entire CAS program in the DP I have developed useful collaborative skills, learned how to better commit to a project or idea, how to be more considerate of consequences and overcome many challenges. I have also developed creatively and as a person. I am glad to have partaken in the DP program for these reasons, as I feel I am more balanced and complete with the encouragement from school to engage in creative endeavours, physical activity and service.
