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!
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