Dear Students,
This was meant to be a Children’s Day message to you, but then I thought that for people in my profession, every day is Children’s Day. So here goes….
When you are young you are always in a hurry to grow up and when you do; you realise that Hey! Being a grown-up is not all hunky dory as it appeared to be.
My first message to you — enjoy your childhood. You may feel that your life is being controlled by adults who don’t understand you or that they don’t care and so on. Perish the thought.
Your parents, no matter how old-fashioned or unreasonable, have your best interests at heart. Their love for you is unconditional. All that they do, they do for you. Yes, they may not always express their love for you, but love can be seen in so many other small ways… waking up early despite having slept late to get you ready for school, not buying what they have always wanted to, because you need a new pair of basketball shoes, cancelling a holiday so that they can save for your college fees…the list is endless. Even if the compromise made is not always financial, thye are always thinking about their children.
Next, not all friends are necessarily the best people to go to for advice. They are as young as you are, and have less exposure to the outside world. Do share your thoughts with them but if there is decision to be made, go back to your parents. No person who encourages you to rebel or go against your parent’s wishes is your friend.
Do remember we cannot be good at everything and that there will always be someone who can be better than you. Identify your strengths and work at making them stronger and make your weaknesses weaker. There is no substitute for hard work and not everyone who says that they never study or apply themselves is necessarily telling you the truth. Unless you work hard, no amount of talent is going to help you. Even diamond needs to be polished and faceted to make it shine. Make a timetable and if you cannot take the help of a friendly adult whom you can confide in, stick to it. You will be thankful later. You need not be excellent at studies there are other facets of your personality that can be developed. All students quote Tendulkar, Messi and Bill Gates as examples of people who did well without being good at studies. However, if you talk to them they will tell you about the grueling hours they put in to be where they are.
Schools are places where you make lasting relationships that can make you or get you on to the wrong path. You wear a uniform and dress in a particular manner because in a school all students are equal. Hence it is also important for you to know, believe and accept that. No teacher is deliberately out to get you or is against you. When a teacher corrects you or metes out a punishment it is the act that is penalised but the child that is corrected.
Wear your uniform with pride and be proud of your school and all that it stands for. If you do not love your school you have no business being there in the first place.
When you go out to inter-school events or a field trip, never forget that you are an ambassador of your school. Your dress, behaviour and demeanor is an indicator of the school in general. Even a slight aberration in your conduct will cast a slur on your entire school reputation. So always remember to be on your best behavior. Discipline is the key. If you are not disciplined it is difficult to do well. Being disciplined is a skill for life that will stand in good stead for all time to come.
Childhood comes just once and today thanks to media exposure it has become fleeting, so enjoy your childhood. Be happy and spread some joy and happiness to all those around you. Schools are miniature societies and while the school may award prizes for ranking first, second or third, the outside world hasn’t. Only a person who delivers is awarded.
I have spent four decades dealing with young people and I am truly thankful that you are responsible for my energy and zest for life.
Author: Dr. Ranjini Krishnaswamy
Email: jinikay@gmail.com
This Article was published in the DNA Newspaper (Mumbai Edition) on 13th December 2016. You can read it here.
