As the higher secondary students who have now entered the 11th
grade gear up for their first days in junior college, they admit that after a
long absence from campus, they’re looking for something more fun and exciting
to put those stressful days behind them.
Students also admit that they found relief
in finally knowing that their ‘Boards-fever’ has finally come to an end. Nyra
Vaz, fresher at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Panjim said, “Boards being
over was a huge stress relief for me. I almost felt thankful!” With the
overwhelming burden of board exams finally lifted off, Ruel Luis, student at
St. Xaviers College, Mapusa shared, “Along with this new academic year, comes
along a sense of responsibility and rationality. These two crucial years
influence the way one’s career takes shape and also the persona.”
As they rushed to grab admissions and
settled down into their classrooms on the first day, they got a gist of what is
to come in the following year. Students are thrilled for the potential fun that
junior college life is bringing for them.
Jason Nathan, also a fresher at DBHSS,
Panjim shared that he expects a lot of fun ‘on and off the campus.’ He added,
“Finally going to a new institution is nerve wracking but exciting! Since I
have three older sisters and have heard a ton of stories, I have really big
expectations.” He also described what the perfect year would be like for a
fresher student saying, “I would love an awe-inspiring amount of sporting
events and not to mention lots and lots of extracurricular activities. Besides
that, I want all my teachers to like me even though I’m a bit mischievous!”
A lot of students were excited for the new chapter of their
lives even after the lockdown-fatigue. Ruel Luis commented on the experiences
that students have had during this hard time saying, “These past two years have
dampened the student’s creativity and capacity to think due to the online means
of schooling.
But now the ability to change is in our hands by being vigilant
and hand-picking your companions aid in self-development among other valuable
qualities.” He elaborated further saying, “I want to take up activities that
activate segments of your brain that have been dormant for the past two years
like reading, music, theatre. I want to participate in debates and competitive
engineering events. These are some of the valuable assets an institution can
provide a student.” Lastly Reul explained howbeing an integral part of the
institution is hugely constructive and advantageous as leadership and language
skills can be built up by being a student editor and such which are useful long
term.
“Making
the most of the facilities and resources and being proficient is key. Time is
money and learning the basics while you can,can prove to be fruitful in one’s future endeavours.”
Nyra Vaz also shared her understanding of the last two years
saying, “As a higher secondary student who hasn’t been to school in the last
two years, starting the academic year full-fledged is both scary and exciting.
There were numerous items on the wish list. The big definite one in this new
chapter is definitely making new friends and experiencing life with new
friends. However gathering new knowledge is on the top because who doesn’t want
to know more?”
Jaden Dias, fresher student at St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary
School, Mapusa shared, “I would love to make new friends since half of mine
have part parted ways and are in different schools and colleges. Sports and
events would also be quite fun but appreciate indoor sports more. All these
events will be fun but studying or learning has a different type of fun on its
own.”
He also elaborated on the feeling that boards gripped the
students with saying, “With the end of boards, I feel as if a large burden like
a rock has been lifted from my shouldersbut it feels as if I’m missing
something by not studying or doing any school related work. I usually didn’t
have a lot of free time in 10th grade and now that the exams have ended and I
need not study for some time.I have too much free time and have enjoyed this
leisure time but it never ends. But knowing 11th starts in less than a week I
feel as if something great awaits me.”
Our
youngsters today are back on track to their teen-life andso many students are
eager for all the physical activities they were restricted from not so long ago
which it definitely it an improvement from sticking to the screens all day.
Finding a new normal with the academic year is a mission for the students since
the previous two years were difficult to grasp and simply keep up with.
