‘School’s legacy continues with me through my cherished keepsakes’

She is at present, pursuing psychology at Delhi University. Meet Riddhi Kapoor from the 2023 batch of Apeejay School, Faridabad. In a candid interview, Riddhi narrates the lasting impact her school continues to have which accelerated her growth and progress.

Read edited excerpts here.

What are you doing after passing out from school?

After I finished my XII Board exams, there was not much time left and I started preparing for the CUET exam. I had my mind set that I wanted to pursue Psychology for my higher studies. So, at present, I am pursuing a BA (Honors) in Applied Psychology from the University of Delhi.

What does a typical day look like?  

It starts by waking up at 5:30 in the morning. Classes start from 8:30 am and mostly last till 5 pm. Then I leave for home and eat ice cream on the way with my friends. My long day ends with me helping my mom with dinner, doing some work and finally going to bed around 10:30 pm.

Tell us about your Apeejay life.

I studied from nursery to class XII here. My life at school was the epitome of happiness mixed with excitement, adventure and grateful feelings. From the teachers to the staff and also the buildings which saw me grow into who I am today. From the grounds in which we played various sports for the first time to the art and music classes where I first held a brush and sitar. If you ask me I couldn’t have asked for more.

Share a few nostalgic memories from Apeejay.

Apeejay is nostalgia in itself. If you ask me my best memory would be – the song “Hum Apeejay ke Bachche” every morning. This song made me feel like a part of the school legacy which Dr Stya Paul sir started. The annual functions,  the various conversations with my beloved teachers and principal ma’am made me grow and improve upon myself. Our school uniform which remains a part of me and makes me feel overwhelmed when I see it now; my student council and Interact Club badges which are now kept as a memento are all cherished memories for me.

How were the teachers at Apeejay?

My teachers at Apeejay were the best. They cared for me and all the students just like a mother would. Our classroom teachers always greeted us with open arms in the mornings to our subject teachers who made us understand even the difficult things in a very easy manner. One thing common in all my teachers was that they always showed kindness, empathy and a genuine concern.

What are your dreams?

My goal is to complete my bachelor’s and pursue a master’s. My dream is to become someone who my parents will be proud of. I dream and hope to become someone who can contribute to my society and my country. I hope that with my subject and knowledge, I can work for the betterment of my country.

Any message for the students of the school.

To the students reading this, I would just like to say that school life is the best you can have. Enjoy these moments to the fullest and cherish these memories. Have fun with your friends, participate in as many events as you can and always respect your teachers.

How did Apeejay help you hone your skills?

From trying various public speaking events and anchoring at assemblies and functions that made me a confident public speaker now. The various dances and sitar performances made big changes in removing my stage fright. Improving my skills in volleyball and badminton through various competitions and improving my debating skills through Inter-school and Inter-house competitions helped me hone my skills which I am now proud of.

Your advice for future psychology aspirants.

My interest in Psychology began early on when my teacher in school made me fall in love with this subject. The subject has everything from science to Math to Social Sciences. If you are interested, no one can stop you, not those who tell you that the subject has no scope.