Young professionals who cherish their first day at school

Afzal Mahmad Caunhye, Jessram Koonja, Shane Lutchanah, Shemida Ramdewar-Emrith

“Why are we not at school anymore?” “I wish I could go back to school?” These are simple questions that often cross the minds of adults. Everyone misses the good times with friends at school. We actually do miss the fun, the class, the environment and the activities. All we can do is just to cherish those wonderful moments. This week, many children are joining pre-primary, primary and secondary schools. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"7982","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-13532 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"294","height":"300","alt":"Afzal Mahmad Caunhye"}}]]Afzal Mahmad Caunhye: “I was excited on the first day itself” 28 year-old Afzal, an entrepreneur, states that unlike others who thought their first day at college would be stressful, he was excited to join. “During my school days, I had a glimpse of college life from my elder brother and I was impatiently waiting for the first day at college. I still remember that day vividly. I was admitted to Darwin College of Flacq. I entered the college’s premises with new hopes and aspirations. It was quite different from what I had seen at primary school. I had some very strange experiences on the first day itself. I came across many unknown faces and I was baffled to see students playing indoor and outdoor games and enjoying music on their mobile phones and MP3 players during recreational hours,” he shares. The young director was delighted to see a big grand library and computer room at the college. “When I attended my first class, I found that the method of teaching was different from primary schools. Each subject was taught by a specialised teacher and there was no spoon feeding. That day, I received more of what I had expected and I made many friends. I felt a new rhythm of life and I returned home with a mixed sense of duty and freedom. Now that I am a successful businessman, when I look back, it was the best choice I have ever made, I have no regrets, those seven years at Darwin College have been the most remarkable, enriching and greatest days of my life,” he says.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"7983","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-13533 alignright","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"188","height":"300","alt":"Sharda Mungrah"}}]]Sharda Mungrah: “Really exciting and thrilling” Sharda, a Building Services Engineering Consultant still remembers her first day at pre-primary, primary and secondary schools. “My parents were always very encouraging and had an increased involvement in my education throughout my schooling. My first day at the pre-primary/primary school was really thrilling and exciting for me as a little girl who wore her plaited hair, dressed in her blue pleated uniform and matching Bata shoes – definitely not bothered about the strange new faces crying and clinging to their mums,” she confides. However, when she stepped into college, she felt really apprehensive, as there were so many unknowns ahead leading to who you want to be and what you will end up being in life. Then, somehow, it instantly clicks when your college becomes your pride. “Always thankful to my teachers at Gaetan Raynal SSS who, knowing me as “miss chatterbox”, encouraged me into participating in elocution contests and debate competitions. It contributed quite a lot into shaping my character. I would not go for memorable events on my very first day at school but rather throughout school, when I always had my classmates by my side cheering me up. As the word goes, always treasure and enjoy your school days. They never come back,” she concludes.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"7984","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-13534 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"242","height":"300","alt":"Shemida Ramdewar-Emrith"}}]]Shemida Ramdewar-Emrith: “My first day at prep school was tough” Shemida, owner of her own business of agricultural products, still treasures her first day at school. “My first day at pre-primary school was a difficult one. I love my mother so much and was so used to be with her all the time. She came to drop me at school, waited for me to get acquainted with other children, and then she left. I started crying and felt as if she had abandoned me, but after a few days, I started to love school. My two cousins were in the same class. My first day at primary school was much better. Luckily, my two cousins were again in the same school and class. So, nothing changed much for me. My first day at secondary school was a tough one. I was admitted to a very good college but since there was another one closest to my house, my parents opted for it. I was angry, yet I went on the condition of being transferred soon. But after a few days, I started to love my new school and even though my transfer was accepted, I decided to stay. My college days were the best. I like designing. My friends designed the school tracksuit, I designed the logo, which is still being used today,” she narrates.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"7985","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-13535 alignright","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"280","alt":"Shane Lutchanah"}}]]Shane Lutchanah: “It was a big challenge” 29-year old Shane Lutchanah is in the IT field. For him the first day at New Eton College was quite a nightmare. “Shifting from primary school to secondary was a big challenge. However, I managed to integrate fully with the school environment and befriended a group of friends. Like most teens of my age, we will all agree that high school is the best moment in life; full of energy, full of time, etc. But the moments I cherish the most is playing music with my best friends Soghi, Alvin, Kris and others,” he says.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"7986","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-13536 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"199","height":"300","alt":"Yajni Gangadeen"}}]]Yajni Gangadeen: “Funny to see my friend crying” 22-year old Yajni is in the management field. She vaguely remembers her first day at school. “I went to the Hugh Otter Barry Government School. I still remember when I was in the class and my mother was waving to say goodbye, I was more interested in looking around than to say goodbye. It was funny to see one of my friends Ajaz sitting beside me crying. He was crying so bitterly. Today, he is the only primary friend I am in touch with though,” she says.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"7987","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-medium wp-image-13537 alignright","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"300","alt":"Jessram Koonja"}}]]Jessram Koonja: “What a change from primary to secondary” Managing Director of Jessram Web Agency, Jessram avers that his first day at college is definitely one of the most unforgettable ones in his life. “I was accompanied by my father on that day because my school bag was not only larger than my back, but was excessively heavy as well. What a change from primary school to secondary. There were over 15 new subjects that I was eager to learn. I was baffled to see that our classroom consisted of over 60 students. Some faces were familiar, but most of them were strangers. To remember the names of the teachers, and what subject they taught, I wrote their names on the top corner of their respective copybook. The classes seemed to end very quickly and we had to learn and grasp a lot in a short time,” he reveals. He still remembers how scared he was by the “gigantic ruler” of one of his teachers. “I was given Rs 5 per day and I bought bread for lunch. I visited the college infrastructure and learned about the various offices; especially the rector’s office. A couple of teachers had started their syllabus straight away and we had homework for the next day. It was a memorable day and I made new friends and learned about different subjects that were to torment me across the year. Secondary college is where I learned how to grow up and think about the purpose of things. I not only made amazing friends, but I also earned the respect of every teacher at school,” he adds.