Harshal Shriramwar
12 years in Appollo National Public School
Batch: 2020
Completed 2nd PUC, KCET, NEET, and JEE.

It was a usual continuous and smooth journey for the first ten years in school. Then came the important last two years that were considered to be ground breaking for anyone’s career. But the usual journey was no longer usual as COVID had struck the entire world. Student-student interaction and student-teacher interaction, that were both considered to be the most important part of school, came to a halt and it suddenly became a no-no. It was a time for online-sessions and home-schooling. We became confined to one single isolated room.

In all these disruptions, what we were not to miss, was to decide the line of career and more importantly in our country (which is considered to be highy competitive) prepare to not only qualify in NEET, KCET or JEE, but also to get a seat. Along with board exams, we were preparing for all these exams by sitting at home rather than the usual option of going to school and classes. But the learnings of the first ten years and the complete system that had gotten adjusted to this new reality was amazing. This made me believe that it is no longer about what we study and what marks we get, but how we take these surprises. Suddenly in the midst of this storm, I found my strength with which, I was able to balance all these exams.

Though all the gates are open now, and with counseling about to start, whatever I choose next, I know that I am prepared for the journey ahead. I thank all teachers, parents, friends and everyone else I met on this journey and I hope to stay in touch with everyone.