‘Keep basking under the glory of school days till they last’

She resonates with the words of Bryan Adams – those were the best days of my life each time she describes her alma mater. Meet Swarnili Chopde from the batch of 2022 at Apeejay School, Nerul. In a candid interview, She plays back her favourite memories from school.  

What are you doing professionally?

I’m pursuing a BTech in Information Technology from K J Somaiya School Of Engineering, under Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Ghatkopar.

How were your days at Apeejay School?

My days at Apeejay School will always have a special place in my heart. Now that I look back on them, they were filled with love, care, fun and warmth. I got to experience many things but importantly found my passion in sports. I was an athlete and actively participated and won in 200m races and 400m relay races. I was also on the school’s throwball and volleyball teams and have played multiple Inter-house and Inter-school matches. I can’t forget my DSO volleyball match that took place in Latur, had so much fun. I remember going to school early just so I could practice sports. Furthermore, I was always excited about the yearly functions. Attending school just for rehearsals was the highlight of my summers.

How were the teachers?

I can, in a heartbeat say, that the teachers were one of the best individuals. They were kind, empathetic, compassionate and loving teachers. I remember approaching them for any doubt without any second thought. They made sure the children felt at home, loved and safe while disciplining them and inculcating manners at the same time. With the guidance of my teachers, I was able to secure a win in the Marathi speech competition as well as achieve great heights in the Spell Bee competitions.

Share any nostalgic memories from school.

One of the nostalgic memories would be my interschool (DSO) throwball match. We travelled to a new school for the competition. We were accompanied by our seniors. They were loudly cheering for us and encouraging us. And soon enough, we won. We were placed first, it felt surreal. To explain, all my teammates were running and hopping on the ground out of happiness. That was one of the best days of my life. Apeejay School facilitated us on stage the next day.

What are your dreams and aspirations?

My ultimate dream is to be a good human being and live a happy life. I love maths, hence I’m pursuing engineering. So I believe I am already living my dream. In addition to this, I might also pursue my master’s in one of the specialised disciplines of engineering.

What’s your advice to students of the school? 

My advice for present students will be to focus on their studies and work hard on their subjects. Alongside sports and extracurriculars, I also had a scholar batch for three consecutive years. So, studying should always be a top priority.  School is the best place to learn basic qualities like dedication, hard work, consistency, punctuality, and respectfulness towards others. I would suggest children learn and incorporate good traits in them which will help them throughout their lives. Don’t be shy and embarrassed. Try out new things. Apeejay School has a plethora of extracurriculars to offer, from academic quizzes, and debates to sporty competitions. Always follow your teacher’s instructions and respect them.