Alumni Speak
‘I credit my personal growth to my school teachers’
This alumnus of Apeejay School, Kharghar says happiness and hard work drive his life
Life is a journey so making it worthwhile is the motto of this young vivacious man. Meet Ubayd, who recently passed out of Apeejay School, Kharghar. In a candid interview, he talks about his fond memories at school that have made it to his memorabilia. Read edited excerpts:
Tell us about yourself
I am Ubayd Salahudin Sayyed, and I’ve studied in Apeejay School, Kharghar from VII onwards. I joined the football team in 8th grade and had been an active member till XII. I was also the sports captain as well as the football team captain in XII. Fortunately, with the help of my teachers, I was able to excel academically as well.
What does a typical day look like?
My daily routine looks something like this:
– 6:30am: Wake up and freshen up
– 7:00am: Have breakfast
– 7:30am: Start my daily scheduled studies
– 8:00am: Continue with my studies
– 2:30pm: Have lunch
– 3:00pm: Tuitions
– 7:00pm: Return home and freshen up
– 7:15pm: Watch TV or read books
– 8:15pm: Study
– 11:30 pm: Go to sleep
Tell us about your school life.
I’ve always had a strong desire to excel both academically and in sports, always wanting to be the ideal student. I participated in various events and competitions to better myself and improve in multiple areas of my life. I also spent quite a lot of time with my friends but also stayed sincere towards academics.
Share a few nostalgic memories from Apeejay?
One nostalgic memory would be when I was in XI organising the farewell for my seniors. I went around carrying a book asking for my seniors’ signatures and asking them to write down a quote or saying they resonate with. The other nostalgic memory would be my XII grade inter-house football competition where Emerald house came second. It wasn’t about the position we got but the time I spent with my friends.
How were the teachers at Apeejay?
To me, Apeejay has many advantages over other schools, but the standout feature is its teachers. They genuinely care about the students and their growth. I thank every single one of my teachers for where I am right now, it wouldn’t have been possible without them.
What is your dream and goal in life?
Honestly speaking, my goal in life is simple. I want myself and those around me to be happy and all I basically need to do is set proper dedicated goals and follow them with discipline. By repeating those two steps, I know I’ll achieve great things in life.
Any message for the students of the school.
I’ve learnt many things during my school years. Firstly, believe in yourself. It is absolutely necessary for anything you want to achieve. If you want growth, you need to believe in yourself. If there’s one thing I aspire by, it’s this quote by Theodore Roosevelt: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
Secondly, I urge everyone to be consistent with their studies. You have to put in a constant number of hours regularly. The most important part is the regularity and not the number of hours. Even when it seems tough and you’re tired and on the verge of falling asleep, you have to put in the hours. This is where most people give up. Lastly, do not view or perceive anything as an absolute failure. There is always something to learn from your failures. Always. As long as you find it and improve yourself, you will see results.
Your comments on the brain drain trend.
Brain drain is unfortunate for our country. To reverse it, we should create quality jobs, offer competitive salaries, boost R&D funding, improve education and healthcare. These steps will hopefully help retain and attract talent and foster development.
How did Apeejay help you hone your skills?
I owe it to the teachers of Apeejay for who and where I am. Thanks to Kazim sir, I started playing football in VIII grade. I owe him a lot for everything he’s done for me and how he’s supported me. I’ve always loved challenges and competitions, and thanks to Rajalakshmi Ma’am, I was able to excel in my Mathematics class. Every Mathematics class seemed to be another opportunity for me to ‘win’ and prove myself. And because of that, I’ve never felt bored in a Maths class. I also managed to push myself to overcome my stage fright and shyness by participating in various school activities such as the fashion show, Teacher’s Day dance, school trip fashion show. I thank the teachers and my friends for creating such an environment where I could overcome my fears.
