I shut the snoozing alarm wearily and squeezed my eyes shut, still lying in bed. That was when realisation hit me that the summer vacation was over and it is my first day in a new school.

Swamped by anxiety and enthusiasm, I shot right out of bed and descended downstairs after freshening up and changing. Halfway down the stairs, I met my mother, apparently coming to wake me up. Upon seeing me, she felt a surge of relief and we both made our way to the kitchen. Everyone was gathered at the dining table, having their breakfast.

Right as I entered, I was greeted by warm wishes for the day ahead as my whole family was aware of how stressful this day could be. It seemed that my mother was as exhilarated as me, because she kept on chatting about the what momentous day it was going to be.

Soon, my father and I were in the car, heading towards the school.

Along with excitement of starting of a new school year, I was feeling a tinge of nervousness. Surely, I had been waiting impatiently for this day to arrive and the vacation had felt like a millennium. But now that it was finally here, I did not feel fully ready for it.

But terrifying questions like “What if I don’t fit in? What if my new classmates didn’t like me?” were clouding my mind. I was feeling helpless and lost. But I did not let my nerves take hold of me and tried to remain calm. After what felt like hours, even though the drive was only a few minutes long, we reached the much-dreaded destination.

As if by some power, my father comprehended my apprehension and tried to boost my confidence. He wished me a good luck and said that I would be absolutely fine. That did make me feel better, although I was intrigued by how he sensed what I was feeling. After hesitating for a few seconds, I stepped out of the car.

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shimmering with all its might, while the clouds were sweeping through the magnificent skies with their ever-lasting grace. Slowly and steadily, I walked toward the imposing school gate and entered though it.

The vast campus was a sight to behold. I nervously surveyed my surroundings, paying attention to the signboards to find my way to my classroom. After a few turns, I reached my new class and stopped right in front of the door.

My heart began pounding very fast and all I wanted to do was to turn back and run home. But I heaved a long sigh, said a prayer and entered the room. I quickly moved towards the nearest unoccupied seat and sat down.

Everyone present seemed elated to start the new academic year. The air was filled with exhilaration. Most of the students had being attending this school for years, so were familiar with the place. They were re-uniting with old friends and narrating the adventures they had embarked on during the long holidays. Watching the excitement around me, suddenly all my nerves disappeared. There were a few, like me, who were sitting silently. I assessed by their introverted behaviour that they were also new here.

A girl seated beside me introduced herself courteously. I did the same and we chatted for a few minutes. She had been here since a couple of years and promised to give me a tour of the enormous campus. I was surprised to find out that we shared quite a lot of interests. After some time, the first teacher arrived and the lesson began. I became more relaxed by her gentleness and skill in her profession.

Time flew by and soon it was recess. As promised, my new friend showed me around the school and took me to every nook and corner of the building. We were exhausted after the exploration, so I treated her to some snacks from the canteen and as a token of gratitude for her welcoming gesture.

The rest of the day passed well, and all the teachers were very impressive and helpful. Back home I shared my experience with my family, who were very happy for me. At the end of the day, I realised that I was just overthinking and becoming anxious for absolutely no reason. A new beginning can be exciting, if we let ourselves enjoy the moment.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 17th, 2024