September 1994 – I remember that first day in Academic International School – a day worth remembering.
When going down memory lane, there are certain memories that bring a smile to one’s lips and my experience in Academic is no exception.
I stepped into Academic as a fourth grade student. Having stayed and studied in a different place and school till then, I was not sure as to what to expect. To make matters worse, my mother was a teacher in the same school and the very thought of calling her “Teacher” rather than “Mommy” was depressing! My fears lasted only till I joined the rest of the school for the morning assembly. It was indeed “HOME COMING” for me.
What have I gained from my experience in Academic? Well, I can proudly say that it has given me the basic foundation on which I am walking at present. It has taught me to commit myself to whatever I do in life. It has also given me the basic training to be able to distinguish the right from the wrong. And of course, how can I forget - it taught me that it is not at all bad to address your mother as “Teacher”, though I always tried to avoid her within the school premises.
Each day in Academic was an experience in itself. I would never say that every day went on smooth without any hassles. There are numerous occasions when I have dreaded going to school or attending some class. Such days were when I would have either fought with a classmate or when I had not completed my assignments. There were not many days when “Teacher Bina” or “Bina Aunty” as I affectionately call her, had not reprimanded me for my ever famous silly mistakes but these feelings were only temporary. They taught me that we must never repeat a mistake but learn the valuable lesson it imparts.
Academic also taught me to be proud of my achievements. I was the head girl of the school for two consecutive years and it was a pride in itself to carry out the duties that came with the post. I learnt to accept criticism and to take it in the right spirit. I also learnt the joy of working as a team.
On a very personal note, Grade VII was the best experience I ever had in Academic International Primary School. My batch was the senior most batch of the school and the first batch to write the Common Entrance Examinations. Expectations were high as we were considered to be a very hard-working, disciplined and brilliant batch. I firmly believe that we lived up to those expectations, thanks to a very dedicated set of teachers we had. This is where I truly understood the meaning of the phrase – “Hard work and Dedication are the only keys to success”.
I graduated out of Academic Primary and entered into the portals of Academic International Secondary School. Secondary school was a different experience in itself. All of us were never addressed as “Children” but as “Students”. No longer were we protected but guided and groomed to become respectable members of the society.
I am just an average student with average talents, but thanks to the experience I had in Academic, I was able to understand and discover my talents and myself to a greater extent. It has been almost a decade since I left the institution, but the memories will always remain fresh in my heart.
Today, when Academic completes almost twenty years of its existence, what can I say, but just wish and pray for its well being. The environment around the school may change but the sole purpose of Academic remains firm – “Excellence and Commitment for a purpose”.
If Academic has taught me to be proud of my achievements, then I can very proudly say, “I am a product of Academic”.
I still remember that day – my first day in Academic International School – what a blessing that was!
Thank you Lord!
Thank you Academic!
