Aishwarya N
12A
How did DPS Dubai facilitate you in your path to self-actualization?
DPS – Discover, Progress, Succeed
In 7th grade, I walked into school with my heart racing. It was my first day at DPSD and the struggle began with adjusting to what felt like a whole new world.
Six years later, here I am, beaming with pride as I look back on those days, sprinting at 6 a.m. to catch the school bus, dreading examinations, preparing for KHDA weeks, and engaging in invigorating group projects.
The holistic curriculum at DPSD has undoubtedly been the fuel for my personal as well as professional growth. It provided me with the tools that helped chart my roadmap to self-actualization.
DPS has, first and foremost, assisted me in reaching my full academic potential. There is a symbiotic between myself and DPS when it comes to my personal development – just as much as my strengths have helped me excel, opportunities provided by DPS have been conducive to my self-discovery. The plethora of clubs at DPS, from Mathematics to Art, ensured that each student’s talent was noticed and nurtured. The meticulously planned MUNs and debate competitions created a great setting for boosting confidence and enhancing public speaking skills. In the classroom, I was pushed out of my comfort zone and was motivated to perform better by the inclusion of out-of-the-box learning methods such as Nearpod quizzes, Peer Presentations, Kahoot games, and the Harkness Table. It was the culmination of the unwavering support of the teachers to take additional time to provide detailed explanations after class and the Enrichment classes that touched on topics beyond the scope of the textbook, that resulted in my achievement of becoming the School Topper in 10th and 11th as well as placing second in 12th.
Besides academic success, DPS successfully promoted a sense of moral responsibility among its students. Through its initiative of collecting water bottles and newspapers for recycling as well as donating food to the ancillary staff, DPS has taught me that “life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being”. This persuaded me to begin my own book donation campaign with a team and we collected hundreds of books that were donated to the Emirates Red Crescent. DPS also greatly emphasizes the importance of leadership. As a result of my involvement in group projects, I learned how to make critical decisions, articulate visions and goals, and gather the required tools to accomplish them. These skills helped me evolve into a more well-rounded individual.
My journey at DPS taught me a lot about myself and the world around me. I learned how to balance schoolwork with extracurricular activities, reflect on past experiences to avoid future mistakes, work hard for the things that matter most, and stand up for what I believe in. These lessons have helped me grow from an inexperienced freshman to an excited senior, and I plan to move forward in my life with the same passion and enthusiasm.
