Hello everyone!

It is quite honestly bittersweet. I am not one to write about emotional topics, but here I am, character development ✅.

My schooling started at a preschool called Kidzee in India, and although I don’t have many memories of the time, I have seen cute pictures and still have some amazing friends from then!

After that, I joined Euroschool, also in India, where I basically experienced most of my highs and lows, met some colourful personalities, made lifelong friends, and grew SO much as an individual.

Then, in 2023, I moved to Singapore, starting grade 11 in IBDP at OFS. I still remember my first day—I was clutching my hoodie, trying to disappear as the walls seemed to tower over me. It was like a very unusual dream, probably straight out of a horror movie. Taking the lift to the floor that was written on a small rough paper, my heart seemed to drop and not because of how high the floor was. My worries were for nothing though, and in the first week itself, I was welcomed with so many kind and sweet people.

Looking back to that first semester, I was failing in Math and close to failing for English, but it was probably the first time I felt as if I belonged, surrounded by what felt like university level problems and books like Animal Farm (a true treasure).

In my second semester, I was at an all time high! I studied in advance, played basketball regularly, spent time with my family and even socialized with my classmates. The highlight though, was learning badminton. Playing a new sport as part of the school team among absolute legends was insane. I had the occasional reservation or two but talking to my coaches and friends (shoutout to my juniors), I can officially say I play badminton. The title of my best semester in schooling is definitely awarded to grade 11, semester 2!

The first semester of grade 12 was honestly a lot to handle, a lot more than I expected. With a lot of IAs, EEs, topic tests all with university applications—it was a tornado. However, every time I broke down, my experience of the past year, grappling with all my lows gave me that resilience to power through. I not only, (somehow) submitted all my assignments, I also got the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and confront one of my greatest challenges, stage fear. I performed in Culturefest, an annual event where high school students and parents develop diverse and inclusive mindsets. Alongside that, I also won the core expo, where my friends and I presented CAS activities to soon-to-be IB students. Overall, it was a semester where I didn’t know if I could make it, but looking back I am proud of myself for overcoming stress and my fears to become a better person.

As I move towards giving the final exams, having had the last day of school today, I still cannot register how time passed so quickly. The undying love and motivation from my family, who pushed me at every turn, the friends I made along the way and the amazing teachers I had to support me were truly the highlight of my schooling journey. I may not have been the most extroverted person, but it was been a long ride that I am not quite ready to get out of. A weirdly quiet kind of ending.