Tszyu’s Portfolio

CRITICAL THINKER

The most valuable activity of this section is definitely “that’s outlandish!” This engaging exercise not only allowed me to enhance and showcase my creativity but also provided me with a platform to present an idea I’ve held for a long time to a teacher. I feel very strongly about this topic, and expressing my thoughts helped alleviate a significant amount of stress I had been carrying. I chose to propose the idea of “replacing Asian History with PBLs and a Learning Lab completely focused on school work,” emphasizing student choice in subjects like Asian History or project-based learning (PBL). This topic has been a source of considerable stress for me, as it affects my GPA significantly, despite not being essential for my future career goals. Participating in this activity enabled me to share my opinions with a broader audience beyond just my family and friends. I conducted some research, which revealed that veterinary studies do not require Asian History as a prerequisite. I also created a survey that indicated the majority of respondents were not particularly interested in Asian History. Overall, this experience was not only enlightening but also an enjoyable way to engage with my peers and express my views.

CREATIVE LEARNER

The most valuable activity of this section is the “Bake-off.” I participated in this exciting event with a classmate, and together we created a dessert that I subconsciously have been craving for my entire life. We decided to make a unique cookie that combined various flavors and textures. The cookie base featured rich mocha (coffee) powder, which added a delightful depth, paired with dried strawberry and mango pieces for a fruity twist. To elevate the experience, we incorporated chunks of chocolate, ensuring a perfect balance of sweetness. The highlight, however, was the filling. It was a stretchy combination of melted caramel and burnt marshmallows, giving it a gooey, indulgent texture. The entire process required so much creativity, and I was surprised at how well we worked together to come up with such an original recipe. Inspired by our success, I attempted to recreate this cookie at home. Unfortunately, my homemade version didn’t turn out quite as expected, as the filling didn’t achieve the same delightful consistency. Nonetheless, the Bake-off was an incredibly fun experience that pushed my culinary boundaries and ignited my passion for baking, leaving me eager to experiment more in the kitchen.

RESILIENT

The most valuable activity in this section was “create a vision board.” This exercise not only helped me articulate all my goals for the year but also turned out to be a genuinely enjoyable experience. As I gathered images and quotes that resonated with me, I realized how important it is to visualize my aspirations. I included my dream college, which represents a significant milestone for me, along with my expectations for my GPA. Although I didn’t achieve that GPA, seeing it on my board serves as a reminder of what I can strive for in the future. In addition to academic goals, I added pictures of my dogs, my family, and my friends. Each photo brought back fond memories, making the process feel like a nostalgic journey. The combination of aspirations and cherished moments created a motivating collage that I printed out and hung on my wall. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of my dreams and the people who support me. This vision board has become a source of inspiration, encouraging me to pursue my goals and cherish the relationships that enrich my life.

SKILLFUL COMMUNICATOR

I found the activity “Create a Buzzfeed Style Quiz” to be incredibly helpful and insightful. Although it took me about two full classes to complete, I eventually learned not only how to create an engaging quiz but also how to assign answers based on the participants’ responses. This process allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how different people think and what influences their choices. Collaborating with a friend made the experience even more enjoyable; we brainstormed ideas and crafted questions together. We decided to make the quiz titled “What Type of Animal Are You?” The questions we included were designed to reflect personality traits and preferences, such as “Which word describes you best?” “What is your favorite color?” and “What is your favorite food?” Each question was carefully thought out to elicit responses that would categorize participants into various animal types. Creating this quiz not only honed my analytical skills but also sparked my creativity. It was fascinating to see how different answers led to different animal classifications, highlighting the diversity in personality and preferences. Overall, this activity was a fun way to learn about myself and others while enhancing my understanding of quiz creation.

COLLABORATION

The activity “Create a New Fitness Routine” was not only enjoyable but also incredibly helpful for my personal development. Throughout this process, I learned a great deal about fitness and the various elements that contribute to an effective workout. My partner and I decided to focus specifically on core training, which is essential for overall strength and stability. I took charge of the warm-ups and the main workout, ensuring that we were properly prepared for the more intense exercises. Meanwhile, my partner handled the cooldown, which is equally important for recovery and flexibility. This division of responsibilities made the experience collaborative and engaging. What made this activity particularly fulfilling was the fact that I do not consider myself exceptionally athletic; I only attend badminton class once a week. Nevertheless, creating this fitness routine allowed me to incorporate exercises that I genuinely enjoy into my daily life. To this day, I still use the routine we developed, and it has significantly helped me build a stronger body. I feel more energetic and confident, which has encouraged me to explore new physical activities beyond badminton.