Culminating Reflection

Throughout my Capstone Project I had different opinions along the way. From things running smoothly, having fun, and just complete stress. This project has allowed me to change my perspective on many things and use it as of now and throughout my future. I had many different types of tactics to make this project more successful and there were many challenges but it has made me gain experience in so many ways.

During the stages of my Capstone project I've used critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. For starters, as I wrote my research paper I used critical thinking throughout the whole thing in order to get it done. From the outline and the very last draft I had to make things work the way they were suppose to. I've used communication because when I would have questions about my paper I would always ask as soon I can because I wanted things to be as "perfect" as they can be. I also used a lot of communication throughout my mentor hours because I constantly talked to all the rec leaders and kids about almost everything from just simple conversation or if I didn't understand how to do something. Creativity played and important role in my project because I would help kids in projects and create skits for them. I would always have to think outside the box in order to help the kids that I took care of. There were many other tactics that I used throughout the project like time management and patience which made a big impact on the way I would view and understand things.

The Capstone project has given a lot more than just a passing grade but a lot personally. Before the capstone project I've always wanted to start my own day care center and after getting the opportunity to do my mentor hours taking care of kids it allowed me to understand how difficult it could be but it made my goals to start my own for sure something I want to pursue. The love for kids just grew and my goal to start my own day care center became on the top of my list. The project has also made me more confident in talking to the kids, rec leaders, and parents. I've learned how to talk to each one of them a certain way and the right way. At the end, the capstone and made me gain a lot more that I can use in my future other than just being able to graduate.

I did have many challenges throughout my project but they all turned into just positive things. For instance, writing my paper was a stressful process because I couldn't find all my sources or fit the page requirement but at the end I got it done. It was even more of a success because my final draft was a much higher score than I anticipated it to be. Also, creating a performance was the kids was a challenge because the kids just became a complete mess. They were just really unfocused and most importantly wouldn't listen but I managed to get through it and create a presentation that ended up winning second place in a festivals competition. There is no challenge that can't turn into a success.