I still remember the most pleasant experience I have had at school. It was the day my class unexpectedly won the first prize in the annual English drama festival. Initially, we were all extremely nervous because we had forgotten some lines during our final rehearsal. However, as soon as we stepped onto the stage, the bright lights and the supportive cheers from our teachers gave us a sudden burst of confidence. We performed with such passion and humor that the entire auditorium erupted in applause. When the judges announced our names for the gold medal, we jumped for joy and hugged each other in tears. That moment taught me the value of teamwork and turned a stressful week into my most cherished school memory.

School days decades ago often felt simpler, yet structured. The school time typically started early, sometimes requiring a long walk or bike ride, as means of transport to school were usually limited to walking or cycling for many students. School subjects were more traditional, focusing heavily on core academics like Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, with less emphasis on technology or electives we see today. Leisure time activities were often unstructured and outdoors; break times were spent playing simple, imaginative games like tag, marbles, or skipping rope in the playground. The anticipation of the long summer holiday was immense, offering weeks of freedom spent exploring, playing outside until sunset, and visiting relatives, a stark contrast to the scheduled activities common in modern breaks.