This I believe

June 1st 2010

When I first joined my current school, I was very, very excited about coming to a new school, new environment and meeting new people. I was also very excited as I had found out that this was an International School so I knew how good this school was. Very, very good. This school had many more facilities than my previous school. But my excitement didn't last too long. During the first few days of 5th grade, I found out that I was almost a computer illiterate. And while the other children in my class knew what to do, they were very good at it, while I struggled to figure out how to use the vast choice of applications.

Also coming from a British system,I did not understand anything anyone was saying. I was in a world of my own. It took me a while to settle down and try to get into the system of education that I am in now. The teacher was very friendly and very supportive, giving me guidance and encouragement. But that was not enough to boost my confidence. In the first few tests that I had, I must say that I didn't do as well as I had expected. Even though I was getting discouraged, wondering if I was putting enough work to get things right, I was getting very frustrated. My parents were very supportive of me and they told me to be patient and I would soon get the hang of things. I told myself that I can't let this go on forever. I decided that I should do something to make things right. I started reading a lot and my dad got me a Mac laptop for me to improve my computer skills.

After a few weeks or so, there was a bit of improvement in what I did at school and gave my life a new perspective. With a lot of encouragement and my determination, I began to love school. By the end of the year, I began to make friends and my grade improved a lot.

Now, I think, if I had lost confidence during 5th grade, I would never be happy being in this school. I know it is not easy getting used to a new school or environment. It's easier said than done when people say 'go and adjust to it and everything will be good'. Those few days or rather a few months, only I have gone through the situation where I am in a nutshell and everyone surrounding me were all strangers. My dad told me that I should believe in myself and only then can I achieve what I really want to. So with that determination I decided, I should go forward and that made me push on. Self-confidence, self-encouragement, self-esteem and determination, in this I believe.