Munawarunnisa Nazneen Saudi Gazette After a long, fun-filled, action-packed vacation, going back-to-school and falling into the monotonous school routine is an ordeal for most children. The annoying sound of the alarm clock or the shrill voice of your mother piercing through your ears early in the morning is nothing less than Chinese torture, especially if you are use to waking up around noon, and for some evening. And if that wasn't enough, you have to leave the warmth and comfort of your cozy bed only to brush your teeth and shower with cold water; wear the new crisp uniform, which tickles you everywhere; and then sit down on the breakfast table to ram down the food your throat. As you are gulping down your glass of milk or juice, the school driver honks wildly. You wear your new shoes which is giving you a bite but you try to avoid the sting, shove in your lunch pack and dash out of the door as the driver gears to push the accelerator. But, you board the bus just in time Phew! and are greeted by familiar smiling teachers and friends. You exchange pleasantries and chat about you how you spent your holidays. Your spirits lift and you can't wait to get to school to meet your friends, new class teacher and see your new classroom. At school, you burst with joy when you see your best friends and run to embrace them. You huddle in a group and excitedly chatter about everything and anything. And before you are able to brag and show off every new item you have purchased in the last two months of your holidays, the school bell goes off! It's time for the school assembly. You check your name on the giant white board and go and stand in your “new” class-line with your friends. The assembly begins with the school principal welcoming everyone before going on to enlighten you about how you are suppose to study, why education is important, what it takes to a be successful young man or woman and so on and so forth. He/she will also remind you about the school rules and regulations, which are to be followed at all times, incase some of them must have forgotten. And with a new profound spirit you march toward your class to begin your new academic year. Of course, half way during the day, you start feeling sluggish because your body is still not used to staying awake and working in the morning. You miss your mom too and you are hungry, but you can't just walk out and have a bite and then come back and sit down because you are at school, and not at home. It's a natural phenomenon but as the days go by everything will eventually fall into place. Abdullah Fardeen Dukar studies in grade 2 and his sister Rameem Fardeen Dukar studies in KG3 of Al Waha International School Jeddah. “It was difficult to get up early in the morning but the thought of my new school bag, new uniform and new boots made me excited. I was eager to meet my friends and new classmates,” Abdullah said. “I was in a happy mood on the first day of school because a week before the school opened, my mother mentally prepared me for it. She even got me a new dress and made me a delicious lunch,” said Samavia Khasif, a student of grade 1 at Pakistan International School Jeddah (PISJ). According to Hasfa Naushad, another student studying in PISJ, itwas difficult for her to get back to the normal school routine. Getting up early in the morning was very tiresome, but since her mother is also a teacher in the same school Hafsa studies, she felt relaxed and her first day was good. “I was sad as I had to leave my mom. During the vacation, I got more attached to my parents and the thought of leaving them made me cry. But, my teachers welcomed me cheerfully and tried to make the enjoyable for all of us,” Rameem softly said from behind her brother. Nimra Naushad of grade 2, PISJ said she was sad to go back to school. However, she got excited and looked forward to it when her mother got her a new bag and a new lunch box. “My mom is a teacher in my school and so I was a bit satisfied that I didn't have to leave her.”
