Jul 23, 2006 04:11 PM
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(Updated Jul 23, 2006 04:21 PM)
This is my experience, an experience that I shall never forget and that I would love to share. Not because I enjoy to or am proud of it but because it has caused me pain, a rather severe one indeed. I am sure many of you would have come across similar incidents but my only wish is that let no other person face a similar situation as this.
My dad got a new job in Dubai and we all packed up to move from Saudi as soon as my 11th got over. I was terribly missing my school, friends and ever pleasant teachers in Riyadh just after a week’s stay in Dubai. Something within me whispered its not going to be the same life as a student and well slowly and steadily my feelings began showing its true colours. I joined one of the leading CBSE schools here and I still remember my first day there.
Nobody bothered to offer me help nor did any one trouble to extend the hand for friendship. I realized that it was my duty to mix myself with the class or else I shall remain isolated in the crowd for the whole year. Though I succeeded in making a few friends a lot many didn’t even signify my existence during my whole 12th grade there. I understood that there existed something called “groups” within the class which comprised of 4 to 5 students and soon enough I too had to belong to one. This was a common rule to be followed from your 5th grade there, if not accepted then you would have to remain on your own. The group members talk mainly to their respective group members though occasionally they are forced to talk to others if they bump over each other accidentally.
I remembered my days back in Riyadh. Yes, groups used to be there but that wasn’t a must to survive. I myself never belonged to any group. I used to run and jump around my class and it was a must from my side that I had talked to each and every one around. I had been gifted the opportunity to be my class representative twice and I truly enjoyed it because there existed a strength of harmony all over. Each time a small problem cropped up we all used to bring our heads close together and stick with an agreement until we received an appropriate solution. Nothing of this sort could be even imagined in my new school. All I could sense was a group of selfish and self centered heart behind everyone’s eyes.
Leave alone students, teachers weren’t better either. And that was truly depressing. I can say so because I was a victim too. My class teacher lets name her Mrs.J, taught me Physics. I have to admit that I still hate the subject when I think of her. I had never met a teacher who was so good in rushing up the portions, it’s a fact that CBSE portions are overloaded but that doesn’t mean that the teacher do her will in the class by not doing her work properly. She finished the first lesson within a week’s time and declared a test after the weekend. I decided with all vigor that I would have to do the test well to get noticed by her. I was filled with confidence and though really not satisfied with my preparation like I always did because I hardly understood much Mrs.J did in class. On that D Day I was shocked to see the air covered with tension and pressure. A few of them where standing and others where sitting, some kept looking at the watch and I could clearly figure out sweats on a few for heads. There was one more thing in common every one had a fat Physics guide of their own and none allowed anyone to pop their head into their book. I entered into my class when one of my group members asked “Are you done?”. I replied “I guess I have. We had a week’s time didn’t we? And moreover I actually didn’t get what she did in class, so I will need more time to revise and study on my own”. She returned “There’s never an end on the preparations for Mrs.J’s test. It’s always tough to understand her questions. Not to worry friend, you will understand as u appear for it. We know her from last year.” The bell rang and we all resided on our seats. Everyone gave a heavy sigh as Mrs.J entered the class room. I revised the question paper she handed over and I couldn’t understand the meaning of even a single question. All the questions looked so unrelated to what she had taught (she hardly taught anyways). I scribbled something on my answer sheet though I knew that most of my answers where not right. I calculated the marks I would be getting as soon as I was done with the paper. It summed up to 10 which I reduced to 8 so that I shall find some pleasure if I got 10.
Mrs.J wasn’t a Mrs. Rush in every thing in her life because she had returned our sheets only after a week’s time and I had gathered the info that 8 students had joined her tuition classes conducted at her home. I was distressed when I realized I had only got 2 out of 20 in my test. I never in my life had scored this bad and decided to talk to her immediately regarding where I needed to improve in my studying pattern. But instead of returning a good advice all she did was to write her phone number on a piece of paper and told me to ask my mom to phone her. My mom did phone her the same evening and her replies where obviously as I had figured out, “Sneha is a good student but I think she is weak in her Physics. I mean a little more of outside help can really bring her to heights.” I wasn’t abased when my mom shared the conversation for which I responded “I have never gone for tuitions Mama and I still won’t. Lemme see if I can manage!”
(Due to lack of space continued in PART 2 - Do plz read it too)
