Driving Question: How can I push myself out of my comfort zone to take more risks and achieve more depth in my learning?
These past 6 months have been a transitional phase in my identity as a student and learner. The jump between grade 9 & 10 is not an easy one, and it made me have to rethink what my strengths were, and adapt them to fit the new grades curriculum. It wasn’t easy, but having my Vision, Mission and Values helped me keep on track, and bring all that I had to my work. So for my mPOL this year, I want to reflect on each goal I set, and see if I’ve accomplished it, or if it’s something I should continue to strive towards accomplishing.
My first success behaviour/goal is agency. Agency is the behaviour I have always been most successful at. I put it on my VMV as a reminder to keep working on it, but I think I have fully put it in place in my everyday life as a student and teenager. It has helped me with numerous projects, like my Komagata Maru memorial to this years DI performance. From handing in work on time, to taking responsibility for my own learning and actions, to setting realistic goals, agency has helped me adapt to the whirlwinds of grade 10, and I will continue to use it as I go into grade 11.
My second success behavior, conduct, ethics, and integrity, has been instrumental in shaping my approach to my studies and interactions with others. Upholding strong ethical standards has allowed me to navigate the complexities of high school with a sense of purpose and accountability. By consistently prioritizing honesty and respect in my work, and take pride in creating something original and true to me. This commitment to integrity keeps me aligned with my Vision, Mission, and Values, ensuring that I remain true to myself and my aspirations. This is evident in my projects over these past months, such as my zine on the evolution of human rights, it has helped me write pieces that reflect my own voice, while also enhanced my understanding of the purpose of ethics and integrity. As I reflect on my journey, I recognize that maintaining this standard will be crucial for my continued growth and success in the future.
My last success behaviour, self regulation, is the goal I continue to work towards. I have gotten farther in it than where I was in grade 8, but I’m still striving for perfection. While I continue to set healthy boundaries between academic work and my personal life, I must also accept that it’s okay to have to take extra time on some things in order to maintain my goals and not cause emmense stress. Identifying sources of stress is also a work in progress, but hopefully by the end of my time at Seycove, I’ll have the skill of self regulation to keep me on track and less stressed as I enter university.
To push myself out of my comfort zone and take more risks in my learning, I can start by actively seeking opportunities that challenge my current skill set, such as finding more extracurricular activities that pique my interest. Embracing a growth mindset will allow me to view failures as valuable learning experiences, motivating me to take bigger risks without the fear of negative outcomes. Additionally, I can cultivate deeper connections with peers and mentors who inspire me to step outside my familiar routines and explore new perspectives. Finally, setting specific, measurable goals related to my learning can help me track my progress and celebrate milestones, reinforcing my commitment to continuous growth and exploration.