Back to School: Braced and Armed

It is that time of the year again, when one is more than happy that the long summer vacation is drawing to complete. This is despite the summer vacation being the much sought after time of the year for students, a perfect antidote to the nervousness and excitement associated with the preceding period of preparation and stress associated with the annual exams.

The fresh academic year brings eagerness and enthusiasm along with it and this is irrespective of the kid being studious or playful.

Smaller, yet significant promotion for boys – from wearing short-pants to being allowed to wear full-length trousers is in itself a joy that knows no bounds. Equally exciting is using pens instead of pencils. The kids say that after waiting for six years they are finally qualified to use a pen.

Yash, who will now venture into Class VI, shares that he used pen only at home and that too belonged to his elder siblings. He now plans to have his own collection of good pens. He has already made a bucket list of the things, which he wants to purchase for school.

"I am all excited to go to the new class, although I am a bit sad that vacations are nearly over. I have shared my list with my parents and I am all set to go to the next grade," shares an elated Yash.

The whiff of fresh books and joyousness associated with wearing new uniform, shoes, bags form the primary motivation to go back to school after an over month-long vacation.

For some of the students, especially those in the higher classes, who are all set to join new institutions, it is the prospect of meeting new classmates and making friends that is exciting as well as a wee-bit worrisome. Nevertheless, they are all geared up to meet new people and carry with them the nostalgia about previous academy as well. It is hard in a way to leave behind everything they held dear and join new institutions, as one is bonded with the school or college; the years spent with friends and favourite teachers cannot be replaced. But change is inevitable and one has to take that leap of faith to commence a new era.

Although a bit of fear creeps in when entering a new territory, the right approach will surely do wonders. Sukanth Nayakam, who has just completed his tenth grade with flying colours, is all set to join Intermediate. Yes, he is tad anxious about this, however, is prepared to take the bull by the horn.

"The thought of joining a new institution makes me nostalgic. I am a little bit frightened about the new environment, a completely different kind of academics. However, I have my own plans to overcome this fear, and I'll have to manage my studies in a very much planned manner with proper strategy so that I can maintain my academic score in a better way," Sukanth shares.

As the saying goes 'The more, the merrier' a few students have ganged up with friends and plan to join same institute in order to continue their 'merriment'. They convince their parents to enrol them in the same college as their friends. IThe sense of togetherness is what binds these students and they want to pursue this bond further when they are venturing into a new world.

Y Mallikarjuna, who completed his Intermediate, is geared up to join a degree college to complete his graduation. He, along with his four classmates from Intermediate will be studying in the same college and they took up similar branch too. He says that it took a little bit of convincing for their parents to agree about the college.

"I said - the college has good reputation and it will be good for me if I already join with people I know. We will make more new friends. But we wish to continue our old friendship too,” Mallikarjuna says.

Parents also play a major role in this whole situation. The constant nagging of their wards to buy 'this or that' and making that right decision in buying the 'Back to School' paraphernalia, is a Herculean task. With the advent of e-commerce tech-savvy parents are shopping online. Many feel that with so many websites, which gives options like cash on delivery and also the return the goods options if they do not like the product, and the whole list being just a click away surely makes one shop from home in comfort rather than venture into the hustle-bustle of the market and that too when the summer is still in its prime.

"Apart from uniform and books, we are planning to shop online for other things as well. I personally think that it is easy to shop online as it feels same as going to a physical shop," Sunitha P shares.

All said and done the preparations are in full swing. And the lads are all set to usher in another great year - fully armed.

Navin Pivhal