Describe something you learned in high school.

If in few words i have to describe what high school life taught me it would be Survival and Emotional strength.

I went to boarding school at the age of 15 years. My school, at that time, was the largest school of Gujarat. It had only 11th and 12th standard with almost 1000 students in each. Almost 80% of the students were in hostel. These two years put me into many situations and each of them helped shape the person I am.

The school started from 11th class and so everyone was meeting each other for the first time. You had the chance of selecting your own group of friends. There were a few in your own section, a few in other sections, a few who were your neighbours in hostel etc. Choices were many and you had to make a choice. I made a few, made new ones during my stay, leaving a few and this process automatically built an insight on to judging people. It gave an understanding that appearance may be deceptive, those who appear to be friends may not be so actually and viceversa.

Initially the rooms were alloted and you got room mates ( there were three in one room). Then you could interchange rooms, swap room partners and this would go n for 15 days or so. You not only had to interact amongst yourselves but also with authorities. You could use the influence ofyour local guardian. This all taught invaluable communication lessons which were very helpful later.

The school had a college type of atmosphere where attendence was not recorded and attending classes were not compulsory. 11th and 12th were most important years as the college admissions depended on 12th marks. In Gujarat, there were no enterance exams for engineering or medical colleges. So you had to set your own discipline for studies amongst the many distractions that a hostel life offers.

For food you had choice of eating at mess or outside. You had to set your own health standards. Financial management was another aspect which i learnt. Friends were constantly short of money and were asking for loans to recover was another story altogether. Money used to come by money order which usually got delayed.

More than everything else, 15 to 18 years of age is the age when you yourself are changing biologically. Your face changes, your voice changes, you transition from a boy to adult. Lot of thoughts occupy your mind, you had altercations with your friends, 12th class related stress was there and being in hostel all had to be managed yourself. Mobiles and telephones were not there to take immediate support from your parents.

All of this laid a strong foundation for life later. It prepared to face ups and downs, made emotionally strong so as not to be disturbed when things do not happen the way you want etc.

And yes it gave lots of memories too. There were no digital cameras or mobiles to record everything that happened but 40 years later, everything is crystal clear in mind.