Learning From Change.

Lets talk about my first day in school(twice).

I have changed schools twice during my total schooling. Once, in 9th grade, again in 11th  grade, because I moved. These two changes, I feel have greatly defined me as a person and have been great learning experiences. The first time around, it was mostly difficult because I’d left a school I’d been in for nearly a decade and was stepping out of my comfort zone. I’d love to be able to tell you that I fit in immediately and I felt like I had been there forever and it was exactly like the movies but the truth this, that was definitely not the case.

The first day of school,I only spoke with the other new girl, because of the fact that we were both new and had that binding us together. It felt like being in some completely foreign place, someone else’s school , certainly not mine. Slowly, as the days passed I found myself getting more and more attached to my new school.It was slow and gradual and certainly taught me a lot. The two major  things I learnt, which are, in my humble opinion,two great life lessons were :-

• Say Hello first.

Here’s the thing. I was a generally shy person. I am quite an extrovert, but only if you know me. For me, saying hello first was nightmarish. I could be wishing to speak with you but wouldn’t because of the fact that I’m simply too shy to approach you first. This, was the reason my first few days in a new school were difficult. Then, one day, I decided to simply overcome my shyness and say hi first. And that is the story of how I’ve met some o my greatest friends. I learnt my lesson which was :Do not wait for someone else to talk to you first, because, chances are, they’re waiting for you to do the same.

• Do not change who you are for anyone or anything.

As someone, in a new school, looking to gain friends and of course, popularity, I will admit to having attempted to at least alter the way I am for the purpose of finding friends and to get people to notice me. It worked a bit, I had a group of people to call friends per se, but I really wasn’t friends with them. Once I let go of my inhibitions and decided that I simply cannot be a mere act anymore, I felt happier. I soon found people who’ll love me for exactly who I was and not who I presented myself to be, and they are now the best people I know.

With these two things learnt and many more over the two wonderful years at that school, I am proud to say, I was heartbroken to leave it. I was so attached and felt like I belonged to this place and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. I cried,I was saddened, yet I was happy with where I’d come over the two years, how much the school had given me and how much I’d grown in character.

My second school, is a completely different story altogether because armed with experience and my lessons, it was much  much easier. I found friends easily and could strike the balance at where I was going to be for the two years here. It went great and has been my best example of applying what you learn in life and I’m glad I got to at such a young age. I also have the added benefit of simply getting to know so many people, places and things and having friends all around. It feels like a great blessing in disguise, now and a great fortune.