So Close, Yet So Far… DP1 Reflection

Coming towards the end of DP1 is a bittersweet feeling. Knowing I am merely one year away from graduating baffles me, but knowing everything that is to come, scares me even more. This year went by in a blink- I feel as if I closed my eyes sometime in September, (probably during maths), and woke up here, Sunday night before the last week of school, my last proper, final week of school. Its crazy to think of how fast one more year could pass by, but so exiting to think of everything a year can entail- everything a year has entailed.

DP1, where do I  even begin. From the orientation trip to borderlands, SAISA volleyball, Our Peak Wilderness science trip, SAISA track, visiting the Maldives, exploring Sinhajara Rainforest as part of our Geo IA, it feels like i’ve been everywhere but school. DP 1 has been a year of experiences, and learning, and opportunity, almost too much I once thought, but Im now realising that the time for experience and opportunity is coming to an end, and this last year, this final stretch needs to once full of discipline, focus, and a little fun (when needed). Since the beginning of the year, my growth has really shown. Being passionate about my subjects allowed for my to have a new perspective regarding school and learning, and really enabled me to engage and show interest in what I was learning in, both in and out of school.

So when I say time has flown by, and the year has gone so quickly, I don’t think I truly give a year enough credit to what it can hold, and to how a person can change within this time. I know that this next year will fly by, but again, I’m also sure that whats to come will not be small in its magnitude, and DP2 will be a year full of surprises, but I can nervously say, I’m ready for it.

CAS has been such a significant part of my growth and achievements this year. Looking back on my goals, I am quite proud of what I managed to achieve with what I originally had in mind for the year.

Activity:

My activity goal was 2 participate in all 3 SAISA seasons, and have a leadership role in some form in one of these events. I ended up only competing in SAISA volleyball and track, because I realised basketball was not for me, however, being track co-captain with Sam, from DP2, was one of the most valuable experiences I have had this year, and I gained so much from doing so. Along with that, I also began to really improve my personal fitness outside of school as well, by getting back into going to the gym, and running on occasion.

Creativity:

The creativity aspect of CAS is perhaps the one that required the most attention from me in this year. My original goal at the beginning of the year was to take part in the ‘reading buddies’ programme, reading to kids in primary school, however, I ended up changing it to learning to play the piano, or more so re-learning. I felt this was an important switch to make as I didn’t feel so passionate about my original goal, but for a long time I had been wanting to get back into playing an instrument, so taking up piano lessons once a week at school was something I was exited and passionate about. I even ended up getting to learn different genres like jazz, and classical, and enhance my musical abilities. Furthermore, I also became very interested in wildlife and nature photography, that I am beginning to document on I-naturalist (see recent post)

Service:

If I could point out the most growth I have had in one of the 3 CAS categories, service would be the one. At the beginning of the year, I started out in Care for Paws as a completely new member to the group, with minimal experience and understanding in this area. And now, at the end of the year, I am going into DP2 as co-service leader. My predominant service goals at the beginning of DP1 were to; be actively present, involved, and willing to help in any and all projects that I can, and I definitely exceeded my expectations through my participation in the sterilization camp, bake sales, drink sales, and other fundraisers, and towards the end of the year, taking up more responsibilities and initiative.