Muhammad Waris just got off his bed and looked out from the window of his room. It was drizzling outside. He felt good to see such wonderful weather. Just then he heard his mother calling.

“Waris, your breakfast is ready. Come fast!” she said.

Waris was good in studies and always scored well. It was the first day in their new class and he didn’t want to be late. So, after getting ready, he quickly finished his breakfast and rushed out to get into his school van, which had just arrived.

As he reached his school building, he ran to his new classroom where he joined his other friends. All the students were sharing their excitement with one another on being promoted to the new class. Waris also joined the conversation.

Their class teacher arrived and everyone greeted her. After introducing herself, she asked the students to give a brief intro about themselves and also what they want to be in the future.

When the introduction began, most of the boys in the class said they wanted to be a doctor, an engineer or a teacher. It seemed no one knew anything beyond these fields at all. It somehow shocked and perturbed the teacher.

Their teacher was very motivating, so she thought of giving the students some knowledge about other fields of studies, but she also wanted it to be more practical. After thinking for a while, she came up with an idea of taking the students on the tour of a university, where they could get exposure to various departments and fields of studies, besides engineering and MBBS.

She took the permission from their school management and the next day, the teacher told the students about their upcoming tour, “We will go there and explore the different fields of studies that students can pursue in the university, as you are only familiar with engineering and MBBS,” she explained.

After a couple days, their trip day arrived. The students seated themselves in the bus, and Waris, along with his close friend, Aamir, sat together. The bus journey began and the students enjoyed the sites of the city they passed. Soon they arrived at one of the grand universities of the city, where they were accompanied by the university’s representative for a guided tour of the departments.

Every student seemed enthusiastic because they had never been to any university before. They surveyed various departments in the arts faculty, visual sciences, social sciences, science and applied sciences, IT, computer and business departments, space and science technology and so many more. The students were literally stunned to see so many different departments and such a wide variety of courses being offered.

When they reached the geology department, many students didn’t have any idea of it. Their teacher knew from their faces that they were clueless about geology, so she told them, “Geology is the study of earth’s physical traits and history.

“This field is important because it answers questions about how the earth came to have its current shape and form. It also helps us to predict earthquakes and other natural disasters in order to prepare to deal with its after-effects”.

They were all startled with the knowledge except, Waris who had questions in his mind. He raised his hand and sought the attention of the representative and his teacher.

“Sir, my grandmother used to say that the earth is fixed on a cow’s horn and when the cow moves its head, the earth is shaken,” he said.

Most of the students suddenly burst into laughter.

“What you have been told is based on a myth, but science will teach you facts backed by research. In reality, earthquakes are caused by the movement of the earth’s tectonic plates,” the representative of the university briefly answered.

Waris nodded.

“Now students, please assemble here so that we all can move towards the pharmacy department from where the bus will pick us,” the teacher informed them.

Pharmacy was the last department in their visit. They were taken to the laboratory and briefed about medicines and about how they were being manufactured. The teacher then asked them if they enjoyed learning about the courses in the university. All students replied enthusiastically, “Yes!” .

That day, when the students reached their homes, they shared the whole experience with their parents, some even discussed their field of interest. Some wanted to be writers, poets and some wanted to be painters, others showed interest in the fields of pharmacy, geology, IT, etc.

So kids, never stop discovering the world, the more knowledge you have, the better you will decide what you want to do. Discover your passion and pursue it with dedication.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 11th, 2023