To write this final
piece, I decided to go through my CAS blog and remind myself of all
the things that I should include here. I have to say, that such
retrospection moved me a little. Don’t get me wrong – I am really
happy with closing this stage of my life and finishing IBDP and
moving forward, because I’m this kind of person who likes changes.
But while looking at all those paragraphs and photos from my blog, I
realized that past 2 years were filled with things that are worth
remembering; things that shaped my character and brought joy into my
life.
My CAS experience
was really diverse, as I decided to do a lot of random things instead
of going for just three different ones. I don’t regret this
decision, because it let me develop myself in many different ways and
gain a wide range of experiences.
Creative part of CAS
was in my case the most consistent one. For the past 2 years I was
practising singing almost every day and it made me realize how much I
love and cherish it. Except for pure singing practice (that I’ve
actually been familiar with for about 10 years now) I felt empowered
enough to do things like setting up a band called ‘Hiraeth’,
opening my YouTube channel or even taking part in a XVI British Song
Festival in Gliwice. All of the above helped me in developing my
singing skills, confidence and empowered me even in my everyday life;
because if I can stand in front of all these people and sing my heart
out, then is there anything I couldn’t do?
When it comes to
activity, there’s a huge improvement! At the very beginning I used
to think ‘No way. I’m not a sports person, don’t make me do
it.’ I started running a little bit and it turned out to be
refreshing and fun, but it wasn’t quite ‘that’. Later on I
started my dance workouts and these were also nice but not
challenging enough for me not to give up after 2 months. Throughout
my CAS journey I was also taking up random activities like walks with
my dog, practising American football with my boyfriend or
sightseeing. And finally – I started going to the gym. It turned
out to be amazing. Weight lifting and cardio helped me in developing
my body and mind, I’ve realized that I have incredible strength in
me and seeing all the results during exercises (and while looking in
the mirror) really encouraged me to do more and more. Now I totally
love gym and I promise not to stop going there even after I finish
IB.
Service was the most
diverse part of my CAS experience. Aside from regular participation
in Model United Nations conferences (and even organising one of them
in Katowice), fundraising for the Great Orchestra of Christmas
Charity once a year and regularly providing a poor man from Stawowa
Street with small sum of money, I was also participating in such
events as IB Open Day (in 2017 and 2018), Teachers’ Day and Project
Travel Conference. All of the above taught me kindness, compassion,
teamwork, diplomatic skills and humanity. I had a chance to help
people in need, to attempt to solve some global issues and to spread
the importance of education among younger generation and I am really
thankful for it.
All in all, CAS at
first seemed to me as something tiring and time-consuming, but it
turned out that when you’re doing what you like and see some
purpose in it – CAS becomes a pleasure. I will forever be happy
with the development and improvement of my character that occurred
thanks to CAS.
And thank you Mrs.
Nowak, for always supporting me and reminding me about all the
deadlines (because we all know I have such a bad memory). You’re
great!
