A walk down the school memory lane - Part 7

Accessorizing our school life

          As the core of school, while textbooks, notebooks, papers, files formed an important part; along with them several other accessories chose to enter into the plot. Essential, unavoidable, significant, desired as they were utilized every single day at school, their role was definitely large enough to deserve an independent mention.

        Be it school bag that posed as an all-in-one package or water bottle for those quick breaks, be it our favorite tiffin filled with loads of love or stationary box full of wonders, be it school uniform that we detested daily or tie and belt to be worn regularly, every accessory made it big in the academic journey. Many a times while the primary focus of books was too boring to think about, these colorful, fancy accessories provided the much desired spice!

         Right before the school commenced, thought of purchasing these new articles was the center of attraction. Devising novel plans to convince parents for new things, their endless efforts to show us good features of the last year used ones, our tricks to highlight the faults in the old and finally reaching a common ground with some old and some new; this to-and-fro shuttle with parents every passing year was a sport in itself. Among siblings, the competition of bagging new items resembled a tough battle. While as kids, we only knew the act of demanding, our parents and teachers worked hard to teach us its true value. It all makes sense today, as I look around at students with fancy accessories and an endless wish-list!

All-in-one secretive school bag!

       Famous for carrying a bulky bag, I could not resist the temptation of using the word ‘secretive’! Every passing grades, as I carried a big bag to school, my parents and sister always wondered about the secret contents within it. With an aim to prevent any punishment, as I carried every book carefully, along with extra ones too, my bag supported me as a strong, sturdy partner.

       As a probable way of posing harm to students, when the load of school bags was reduced to a great extent, it was a total relief and delight to all the parents. Every new year brought amazing new trends in these bags. Horizontal style in the primary years and vertical back pack in the secondary ones was an unstated golden rule that we all followed! Stuffing it with all possible requirements, opening- closing it innumerable times and protecting it with utmost care, school bags were close to us all through the journey. Emptying and cleaning it completely was certainly a tough task!

       A companion that accompanies each one during every single day at school, these bags are truly an entry pass into the institution. Nostalgic memories of bags used in school life do have the power to make us think about its value and weight all over again.

Uniform fashion compulsion- a style statement detested then, missed now!

        Wearing same uniform every day for the rest of school life was never a pleasure to look forward to. Dressing up perfectly with discipline as we teamed it up with tie, belt and hair band, it was a compulsory affair undesirable by all. With only one single variation of sports uniform, monotonous attire was a part of life. 

       The wait appeared too long as we hoped to enjoy fashionable independence in college and office. Different clothes, diverse styles, variable colors attracted us towards adulthood, creating a strong impression of never missing the checks and squares of uniform ever again! But as said, we always miss the past or dream about the future, the freedom of choosing styles for ourselves now, do pull us back to the peace of having a fixed school uniform.

     Offering the benefit of one single attire daily during school times, increasing confusion of choosing a dress is a total challenge. Deciding what to wear consumed good amount of time and continues to do even today as it is not as simple as picking up a designated uniform! As I miss my school uniform and the peace of mind that followed, I realize my mistake of underestimating those wonderful checks and squares!

   Though we always had contrasting views about our own uniform; bitter ones while within the school premises and sweet ones while comparing it to the other schools, sad ones while talking about its color or pattern and happy ones while remembering it later, we realize its charm only after it refuses to fit our frame!

 

 Food for a break, water for a reason – the bottle and tiffin of joy!

        Trendy water bottle hanging around the neck and fancy tiffin box sitting in the bag were reasons to be happy during boredom of primary school life. Waiting for the recess break with eager eyes, opening up our tiffin box and experiencing mom’s love in the form of tasty delicacies kept us well occupied. Eating and returning with empty tiffin seemed as matter of pride, while ignoring the ‘not so favorite healthy items’ invited punishments and sorrow!

       As senior years approached, these tiffins and bottles changed to simpler ones,but interests towards friends’ boxes increased to a great extent. More inclination towards canteen food and less pull towards our own tiffin appeared and disappeared every now and then. Perfect excuse to halt for a while, water bottles appeared as handy ways to pause!

    

      Stationary boxes and range of contents in it added to these list of accessories. While such secondary aspects are only required to assist in the learning process, it is essential to limit them only to the required purpose. Spending money and time behind their changing trends may lead to comparison between kids involving them in unnecessary money matters.

      Though we may have never thought about it, bidding farewell to school meant good-bye to these wonderful accessories too!  

A walk down the school memory lane - Part 6

First day of school.....!

The excitement for a new start...

        Now though I have walked for several miles along this memory lane of school, I realized to have missed the very start of this game. After long, relaxed, happy and enjoyable summer vacation, when school call their students back to the academic adventure, it does deserve a post to its name. Blending happiness, excitement, sorrow and eagerness, this first day turns out to be totally memorable.
 
       No matter a student belonged to which grade, this first day at school always resembled a special event. Fortunate to be in the same school right from pre-primary till the secondary, first day meant meeting friends and new teachers.
   
      Excited to see our new class teacher and getting introduced to the entire team for different subjects were important tasks for the day. Hoping to be lucky with friendly and lenient teachers, most of the time was spent in discussing reviews from our seniors. Comparing the strictness level of teachers with friends from different divisions kept us occupied with lot of work right from day 1!

      Another form of excitement that gripped each one was the entry of new students in the class. Be it different area, different city or different state, when new entrants introduced themselves, there was happiness of making new friends. Behaving as more experienced and knowledgeable with respect to school, sharing essential facts and 'non so essential' features offered excellent means to break the ice with these 'new-comers'. While they must be excited for a totally new place, our excitement to know them as new classmates was not less either.

Approaching first day with emotional dynamics

       While first day at school was just a small affair, its influence was spread since a long time . With changing moods and different feelings, this day greeted with us diverse meanings. When acquainted with this date for the first time during the day of result, it appeared as a far away time in future. Not thinking about it while enjoying every single moment of freedom, it meant nothing at all.

       With mounting boredom of holiday routine and no other activities left in the pipeline, momentary dreams about reopening of school offered excitement and joy. Looking forward to meet friends and get into routine appeared tempting by all means.

        It also initiated the tiring course of holiday homework, completing all the work meant for two months within short span of two days was a draining activity, after all! While this eagerness lasted for a little time, approaching monsoon brought mixed feelings. Sorrow of parting away from freedom with happiness of receiving rain showers meant fusion of many things together.
 
       Purchasing new books, bags, umbrella, tiffin-box, water bottle; covering books and labeling them while enjoying the fresh smell of new possessions offered newly found happiness year after year. Deciding to study with all possible dedication and promising to ace every examination was the ritual followed each year in spirit of freshness and novelties all around. With passing time as the colorful first day faded to lighter shades, all these enthusiastic vows would disappear into thin air only to reappear around same time the next year.
   
        First day of school was probably the only lightest day in the academic calender as there were no studies or books, only talks and more talks. Discussing or writing about summer holidays was the first ever assignment,bringing nostalgic memories all over again. With duration of fewer working hours as the day would end quickly, its excitement continued till all members of the family heard a detailed account!
     
     

Day ends , routine starts

        All the fun, energy, enthusiasm would set away with setting sun as normal routine of school followed this much awaited 'first day'. Until next round of around 365 days, there was nothing besides learning, studies, examinations along with short breaks. Though short vacations during major festivals offered little relief, these could never replace the happiness of summer vacation. The joy of first day was totally different, after all it stood 'first' for a reason!

      How were your first days at school? Did you wait for its arrival or hope for its departure?

A walk down the school memory lane –Part 5

Uniting for a kick-start – the daily morning ritual called ‘assembly’

        While lost in the nostalgic sound of school bell; another regular routine bringing a fresh, new day at school caught my attention. Starting the daily schedule with prayers, hymns, songs, thoughts, news, school anthem while hoping for a good day ahead, these assemblies played an important energizing role. Waking each one’s sleepy mind and preparing it for the session of the day undoubtedly spelled out a lot of work.

         Initiated with an aim to bring all students together, promote exchange of thoughts and information, provide a platform to address the entire crowd and sing anthems to celebrate the pride and glory of school, these assemblies were a blend of many things together. With ‘interesting’ and ‘not so interesting’ features of the assembly, this timely management of a daily morning show certainly deserved credit.

      A school that encouraged its students to excel in every possible domain, we got the opportunity to participate in assemblies right since our primary days. With a new class conducting the assembly each day, the schedule offered an equal chance for every division. Hoping to bag some exciting portion, while contributing ideas as a team; planning and practicing for assembly was total fun.

       During the primary grades, this planning was in safe hands of the class teacher. As innocent and sincere kids, our job was to follow the instructions and wait for praises! Eliminating fear of speaking over the microphone, our teachers always encouraged every student to participate. Practicing, enjoying, worrying when the assembly proceeded in a flawless manner; it offered fame, happiness, pride that lasted all day long.

      Hearing our name in assembly was the greatest highlight as we hoped every friend, teacher and classmate took a note of our performance! Being happy about the task assigned for assembly, several days were spent soaked in its stories, both at home and school.

       In senior years, as the baton of planning, executing, conducting and presenting a class assembly was transferred in our hands, it changed the entire experience. Hunting for ideas, searching for novelties, discussing contents and deciding participants offered total entertainment. Topped with several arguments as we struggled to find a solution, our teachers were undoubtedly essential for the final verdict. Interesting features like news, puzzles, and jokes always encountered competition while dry sections like thoughts and articles struggled to find participants.

       Set against the backdrop of innovative themes, famous characters, interesting stories or novel plots; introducing the flow of items in an assembly was the most challenging task. Experimenting with unique ideas such as television series, movie story, a talk show or an interview, it was always exciting to look at compering ideas by different classes.

       Hosting the assembly as a compere or reading out news as a reporter were my favorite activities, as I prayed to bag this role during every turn of our class assembly.

         So, while conducting and participating in an assembly was an enjoyable experience, listening to assemblies presented by others appeared extremely difficult! Instructed by teachers to stay disciplined and appreciate the efforts of others taught us the role of audience. Staying silent and lending a patient ear to the person over mic was undoubtedly the first step towards success. It made us realize that the journey of a successful presenter starts from the audience!

         Though we usually heard this morning assembly from our classroom, one designated day of the week brought us closer to it, as our entire class stood in the school hall. Fearing to be within the visible radius of Principal, this important day demanded all possible attention and discipline hidden deep within.

        While singing the school anthem every passing day, I never imagined there was so much power in its words back then. With boredom and compulsion, as we joined in its tune as a regular chore, its rhythm and melody feel wonderful today.While remembering those beautiful moments at school, singing anthem with friends proved to be one of the best experiences of school life. 

     Wish we could record a video of our assembly at that very moment or capture images of the regime at that very instant. Though it is not possible now, melodious memories of this assembly shall always play the nostalgic tune.

      Let’s think about these wonderful assemblies we all had in school, though we were forced to pay attention back then, we shall thoroughly enjoy them today! 

A walk down the school memory lane- Part 4

Love-hate relationship with the school bell! 

Unavoidable, indispensable, loud, clear, commanding saga of the school bell….

         Besides the colorful events, playful memories, joyful moments and wonderful episodes during school life; there were several other aspects touching this phase each passing day. While thinking about such timely occurrences and memories of school journey,I caught myself remembering the loud and clear sound of our school bell! Though its schedule was as regular as the rising and setting sun, its presence and influence in life created a novel spark each day.

       As if pulling me back to follow its commands, this unavoidable and indispensable school bell ordered a powerful narration.

      A sound that demands discipline, order, regularity and perfection, school bell reminds me of the significance of tight schedule back then. Assuming different responsibilities and conveying different messages at diverse times of the day, this bell was capable of being liked and disliked all along the span of a single day! As a most wanted, hated, desired, appreciated phenomenon throughout school, its significance was too powerful to be avoided.

Different times, different meanings, different relations 

        Starting a new day with the ringing of bell, its loud noise seemed irritating, disturbing and unwanted as a big, long day awaited ahead. While waking up and preparing for an early morning school, every heart wished and hoped for the bell to postpone schedule; but its life-long trusted partnership with the school clock never made that possible!  Wondering about the strict discipline of this bell, all we could do was complain to ourselves. No matter how many times we expressed our hatred for this morning sound, it always waited for us;mocking at our helplessness.

       So while hatred and anger marked this first bell at school, the same sound was welcomed as it marked an end to a session before commencing the next one. For subjects and topics that appeared dull and dry, the sound of bell was definitely nothing less than music,while during fun-filled tasks,it appeared as an interruption! I always wondered if this bell watched all our sessions with careful eyes, ringing in too fast when not desired and making us wait endlessly when most needed. 

Happiness and bond with this bell!

      As if leading the entire school, this bell always had its way. When it rang at the perfect moment forcing a teacher to evaluate our homework some other time or postponing loads of work for the next session, we could not ask for more!  Moments like these brought us closer to its magic,convincing of its love for poor students! 

     As kids of primary grade and too small to understand the clock, we may not have appreciated the timely ringing of the bell. But as students of higher classes with better clarity; waiting for the bell to ring or looking around at friends with confused looks indeed formed exciting, fun-filled memories,as we think of them today.

      Sound of bell announcing recess was one of the most awaited moments of the day. A perfect opportunity to run away from class, studies, books and teachers, this session was more for fun than food! While eagerly waiting for this much needed break, its arrival felt totally exciting. The bell at the end of recess always seemed incorrect as if the school clock chose to run rather than stick to its usual walk!

       Reading, writing, studying, talking, complaining, enjoying as we managed to sail through one eventful day at school, the last bell of the day was undoubtedly the most loved one. Starting with hatred, progressing towards affection and finally filled with loads of love, this school bell offered diverse moments all within a single day. While bidding us good-bye at the end, it waited to greet us once again for a bright, new day. Hopes for its delay or wishes for its early arrival made no difference as it taught us discipline of a perfect schedule.

       Though a necessity and routine in each one’s life, memories of school bell do hold some exciting and interesting stories for each one of us. While writing about this important friend in my school life, I realized its valuable presence in the journey. Be it a regular school day or day of examination, be it a special event or celebration at school, this bell chose to ring and make our school life totally memorable. Such colorful memories remind one about the simple, routine, usual yet totally amazing happenings along this phase called ‘school'.

       Do you remember this disciplined, loud friend of yours?

       Did you wait for its sound all through the day?

      Time to end this piece… before the bell may ring and command me to do so! 

A walk down the school memory lane - Part 3

A chance to win, a chance to lose, a chance to showcase, a chance to prove - the exciting opportunities called 'competitions'

        Singing, debate, elocution, fancy-dress, dance, drama, handwriting, painting, drawing,quiz.... and an endless list of competitions; competing for an exciting life at school!

         Besides academics, an array of diverse intra-school and inter-school competitions occupied the course of our term. While pondering about the memories of school,I could not resist bringing them into the picture. Right from the pre-primary level till the secondary grade, every academic year greeted us with tons of opportunities to hold a certificate or display the wining cup! With an increase in academic level; the type of competitions and nature of performances did differ,yet crossed-fingers and wishes to win always remained the same.

         Designed and conducted with an aim to encourage all round development, these different
competitions forced students to look beyond their books. While most of times, it proved to be additional work for parents - preparing, practicing and working with kids gave them a chance to be back on stage in their own little way! With innovative ideas and interesting concepts, as we looked forward to these competitions, it spelled out lots of fun; after all it was our only tried,tested,valid, approved reason to stay miles away from homework!

        As kids of primary section, fancy dress was our most memorable competition every year. While parents were engrossed in racking their brains for novel ideas and spending time behind the costumes, we eagerly waited to try them out! Rehearsing the script at home with all possible energy and enthusiasm, yet forgetting the part on stage formed moments of fun and joy. When I look at my photographs dressed as 'vegetable garden' or 'doll', I feel amazed at my parents' skills to hunt for different ideas.
   
        While these performing competitions were favorite among all, those revolving around writing or reading witnessed less participation. With an aim to encourage these skills, when a tag of 'compulsory' decorated them, the entire class had no choice but to be a part of it!
     
        Organizing competitions as per season,month or festival was an interesting feature to match the changing time. From 'painting contests' about nature in monsoon to 'lantern preparation' during festival of lights; from 'Best out of waste' competitions at the end of term to elocution based on different themes; there was so much to learn from these deviations to the routine schedule.
   
        Debate and quiz competitions during our senior years were thoroughly enjoyed by all. While defending or opposing interesting topics, an official chance to fight was totally worth it! During higher grades, opportunities to participate in inter-school competitions meant lots of fun. Be it solo or a group event, performing and wining for the school was a matter of pride.

        Though within its premises, complaining about school was part of our regime; such inter-school competitions served to rekindle flames of love while on the outside. As a group when we worked together to win for our school, it brought us closer to values of unity, team spirit, coordination and cooperation. Memories of march-past competitions on various grounds, with numerous schools across the city, still appear fresh and recent, as each one of us worked hard for the wining title.
   
       With increased exposure to the virtual world and influence of reality shows, nature of competitions seem to have changed a lot. As school is the foundation for a child's future, it is essential that these competitions encourage them for newer experiences, yet preserve their innocence. Our teachers and management at school worked hard to give us these fun-filled moments on stage, while still keeping us rooted to our childhood.
   
      Though competitive spirit is essential to promote ideas,skills and talents of students, excessive stress on wining can rob away all the fun. Pressuring kids for the first position or tempting them with gifts to win, may inhibit their natural essence of trial and error. After all,like it is always said, wining and losing is part of the game and to enjoy this game, it is essential to play right till the end!

 So, as an after thought, which competitions did you enjoy?

Were you forced with the 'compulsory' tag or did you choose to participate yourself?

What was more interesting - participating as a kid or participating through your kid?