Anveeksha Chouhan

Growing up, my parents always told me that “school life will be the best time of your life.” I did not believe them. School felt distressing and there was so much that I had not experienced then, so how would my school life compare?

Its extremely overwhelming, as I graduate and think about how I’ve spent most of my life, more than 14 years, in DPS Dubai. I’ve experienced the highest highs and some of my lowest in this school. As bland as it may seem, my first advice would be to treasure your time in this school, because the seemingly insignificant memories are what will make you the most emotional.

It used to feel like torture, waking up and putting on that dreaded white uniform, which used to be our washing machine’s mortal enemy, and walking to the bus stop (unless you were an OT of course). We had acquired this superhuman strength of identifying our bus among the countless other similar ones. Bus rides were a thing on their own, the diversity among the people- the ones who talked way too much and too loudly and were constantly picked on by the teachers, the ones who studied, the ones who silently looked out their window while listening to music- never ceased to amaze me.

DPS Dubai always had this characteristic smell that triggered so many memories for me. I still remember the music that was played in the morning and Rachna ma’am’s, “Good morning, everyone. Let’s quickly settle down, it’s time for the morning prayer…”. The synchronized sounds of getting up from our chairs and sitting back down after the national anthem seems a little comical now. As middle-schoolers, it was then finally time to break our heads over the question of the day, for the logbook in charge to fill up details, for the starboard monitor to connect the laptop and the uniform in charge to critically pick out defaulters. The rest of us? Well, we either resumed talking or hurriedly tried to complete our submissions for the day. The adrenaline rush was real.

Giggling with your friends in the classroom, but inconspicuously, became our own Olympic sport. But because of that when we were caught and the teacher changed our seats, oh dear, didn’t they seem so villainous then? Finally, after 4 exhausting periods, break time arrived. These fifteen-twenty minutes was what we all looked forward to. Food was exchanged, some of us ran to meet our friends, to the green field and canopies, to the canteen where I can still taste the two-dirham popcorn and of course the famous samosas. We really seemed to adjust so much in the little time we had and yet went to the washroom only when the next teacher arrived. The thrill of bunking classes, and on getting caught by teachers, figuring out the most plausible excuse was a task by itself.

Annual days, mufti days and the carnival- these are separate universes on their own.

KHDA time was an entirely different experience; the design thinking, the absolute discipline, secretly changing groups to be with your friends- I can honestly get lost in these memories.

With all that being said, it is easy to get burdened by school. The expectations that might have been put on you can seem impossible to achieve. And therefore, my second advice would be to know that it is okay.

It’s okay if you mess up, it’s okay if you have regrets. It is okay if you feel you haven’t done your best, it’s okay if you’re too tired and need a break. Its okay when you feel your confidence is shattering and its okay if you want to try something new; its never too late. There might be times when your mental health deteriorates, and you feel that no one understands you. When your thoughts seem like they’re eating you up and everything is going wrong. When the world looks like this cruel torturous place, you might feel like you’re sinking into an abyss, deeper and deeper. But remember there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is always someone who wants to listen to you. There are people who will be there for you. Our teachers are angels who are ready to advice you in every way they can and guide you in the best way possible. It’s okay to ask for help. You do not seem foolish

We are still teenagers trying to figure ourselves out. We are trying to handle our pressures while controlling our extreme hormonal levels. We will make mistakes and that is alright. We are not perfect; but that is what makes us so exciting.

It is easy to get disheartened by inconveniences in life but sometimes for your own sake, it is essential to chant something a very wise man once said, “All is well.”

It will not be the end of the world.

But most importantly, you WILL figure things out on your own so don’t agonize too much. Who knows, what magic of the universe you have hidden in your sleeves. Wouldn’t you like to find out too?