This is a time of mixed feelings. Summer vacation is almost over and the school bell is going to start ringing soon, calling students back to the classes.

In some schools, students will resume their classes as their new session started before the beginning of the summer vacation.

Many of you must be excited to meet your classmates. You have stories to tell and experiences to share about what you all did during the holidays. Right?

For those who will start a fresh academic session after the vacation, this can be a time when you are a bit apprehensive about what is to come in the new class. There will be a new class, new teachers and there maybe a few newly-admitted children in the class too.

There is a common a sense of disappointment among all that the golden months have flown away too quickly. Javeria Elahi, a student of class seven in a reputed school says, “Although it is good to go back to school, I feel a bit nervous. A new class also means a new syllabus which is definitely of a higher level than the one I studied last year.

“And after the long vacation with its fun and merriment, in the first few days it is rather difficult to follow the strict regime of ‘early to bed and early to rise’. The homework and assignments seem a burden, but I know I will get into the pattern very quickly as I experience these feelings every year.”

Saira, a mother of two school-going children and a freelance writer comments, “My children are in junior classes, but they do not seem to enjoy the idea of going back to their school life. I am trying to create some enthusiasm in my kids. Because as a child, I vividly remember being excited about my new school bag, new books and even the new lunch box and water bottle. But some children do not feel charged up with these things. For them, the end of the vacation means the end of the fun months!”

Sadia, a student of O levels says, “The summer vacation is a bit too long. Students generally lose the tempo and mood to get back to their studies. It would be a good idea if a few weeks are cut down and added to winter vacation which is very short. I also feel that we should get a few extra days in our Eid holidays which end too soon. Some children travel to other cities to celebrate Eid with their extended family and it is difficult for them to join school on time. Even those of us who stay back in town, want to enjoy the Eid celebrations for at least a week. This can be made possible only if the summer holidays are of a shorter duration.”

So, like everything good, vacations have to end. They may be a happy and enjoyable part of school life but they are not the most important one. You must not forget that the months you will spend in school are more valuable, because you will learn new lessons and prepare yourself to move forward in life. Instead of feeling blue because the fun months are over, cheer up and look at the brighter side of the situation. Getting back to your friends, interacting with new teachers and studying with full dedication will make your academic year as enjoyable as the vacation.