Growing up in a village, the idea of changing schools was synonymous with changing my entire world. It wasn't just a shift in classrooms; it was a complete overhaul of my life – new cities, new hostels, new friends, new foods, new habits, and the heart-wrenching act of leaving it all behind when it was time to move again.
My first seven years of schooling were rooted in the familiarity of my village, a comforting routine of home-cooked meals and familiar faces. But then, the winds of change blew, and I found myself venturing into a new town, leaving the warmth of my family behind.
The initial experience was a rude awakening. I landed in an ashram-like school, a stark contrast to the nurturing environment I was used to. It felt less like a place of learning and more like a work camp. Daily chores replaced study time, and the pressure to finish every morsel of food, coupled with the daunting task of self-laundry, left me feeling overwhelmed and unprepared. The crowded classrooms meant teachers barely knew our names, and the quality of education suffered. After two months, I knew I had to make a change.
Returning home, I found solace in a small town school, close enough to commute via school bus. It was a welcome respite, a return to a more manageable pace. But the transient nature of my education wasn't over. Two years later, I was off again, this time to another town, living in a hostel and only returning home during holidays.
That year was a chapter of its own, but it was followed by an even shorter, tumultuous experience at a school in yet another town. Ten days was all it took to realize it wasn't the right fit. So, I packed my bags and found myself in a slightly larger town, where I spent the next two years.
Looking back, it's a dizzying montage of classrooms, dorm rooms, and farewells. Each move was a jolt, a forced adaptation to a new environment. I learned to be resilient, to quickly build connections, and to embrace the impermanence of my surroundings.
The constant change wasn't without its challenges. There was the loneliness of leaving friends behind, the anxiety of navigating new social dynamics, and the constant struggle to find my footing. But it also instilled in me a unique perspective. I learned to appreciate the beauty of fleeting moments and the richness of diverse experiences. I became adaptable, resourceful, and independent.
And then, after finishing school, the journey continued, leading me to a bigger city for engineering university. This time, the change felt less daunting, perhaps because I had learned to embrace the ebb and flow of life.
My story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It's a reminder that change, while often unsettling, can be a powerful catalyst for growth. Each school, each town, each farewell, shaped me into the person I am today. It taught me that home isn't just a place; it's the sum of the experiences that have shaped us. And sometimes, those experiences are found in the most unexpected places, in the fleeting moments between one school and the next.
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