A Chapter Closes: My 13-Year Journey At SRM Welkin, Sopore
On the day I joined, I walked in with tears in my eyes. But on the day I left, I felt like I left a piece of my soul there. Every teacher, every friend has left a mark on my heart that time cannot erase. SRM Welkin was never just a school to me; it was my second home.
Amber Aijaz Qureshi
Last month marked the end of my 13-year journey at SRM Welkin, Sopore. From November 2013 to April 2026, it was a chapter of my life filled with countless memories, learning, growth, experiences, and challenges. On the day I joined, I walked in with tears in my eyes. But on the day I left, I felt like I left a piece of my soul there. SRM Welkin was never just a school to me; it was my second home.
This school had a unique environment, not just because it was a private institution, but because it truly had a charm that inspired many like me to achieve something big. The academic atmosphere was totally different. It felt as though I had embarked on an adventure, exploring unique and extraordinary things and grasping them with my mind. This school never made studies boring or burdensome; instead, it felt like growing up in a joyful atmosphere. The teachers were extremely efficient, making their lectures interesting and enthusiastic. Everyone enjoyed studying with them. The classrooms were clean, with students following a great protocol of proper hygiene, all under careful observation.
Now, some may say this is all because it is a private institution that charges a hefty fee from its students. No! It is not because of that. It is because of the environment and the system under which things are nurtured.
A Different Reality
The school I recently joined is quite different. It is in my vicinity, Dangiwacha, about a fifteen-minute walk from my new home. Yes, it is Government Girls’ High School Dangiwacha, a good school that has contributed for decades, having taught scores of brilliant students. But unfortunately, it lacks certain things. My opinion about it can never be final, but this is a sincere perspective based on what I have observed over many days.
The teachers are undoubtedly well qualified and highly experienced, but honestly, I have not found them putting wholehearted effort into making learning truly joyful and gripping. They are busy with a multitude of non-teaching tasks, which ultimately affects their will to teach with zeal and zest—exceptions apart.
To me, the status quo is absolutely absurd. Even if we do not have better facilities like labs, smart boards, or other gadgets, the teacher should make a difference. Teaching is teaching when learning takes place. If nobody learns anything, then what is the point of running a school? It hardly matters whether we sit on the floor or on benches. What matters most is that teachers should have the ability to turn the floor into a heaven and the bench into a benchmark. The school should feel like a school, not like a stable. The students should be disciplined and should look and behave like students.
What SRM Welkin Taught Me
However, life at SRM Welkin, Sopore, was quite awesome. This school shaped me and taught me so many things that I do not think I can ever forget. Literally, school is not just a place to study. It is a place to show your talents, express your thoughts, give wings to your dreams, and, most importantly, learn how to be disciplined and how to be a better human being. To be honest, SRM Welkin, Sopore, gave me a platform to showcase all my talents. It taught me everything necessary, everything that I felt was a dire need. I recall that whenever I entered the campus, it felt like I had entered a hub of knowledge.
But how sad! Who knew that someday, this entry to the hub of knowledge would come to an end, all of a sudden? Unfortunately, I had to leave the school after it switched to the new CBSE curriculum last month, which made my beloved parents think differently. It was not an issue with the change of board but actually with the session. The CBSE holds its final examinations in March, which was not quite appropriate for us, as our life here during long and harsh winters is completely thrown out of gear. Our winter vacations last for a long time, and it then becomes difficult to study as much as in the previous year. Nevertheless, fate had something different in store for students like me.
Farewell, But Not Goodbye
Anyways, all good things come to an end. After thirteen beautiful years, my journey with SRM Welkin, Sopore, came to a close when the school switched to the new CBSE system. But still, my time there will always be the most unforgettable chapter of my life.
I still remember my first day. I entered the school gate crying as a frightened little child, sobbing at the gate, unwilling to spend a moment away from my beloved mother. But I left as a young girl, eyes wet again, unwilling to walk away from the campus that raised me. Yet the memories remain untouched.
SRM Welkin was never just a school; it was a home. Every classroom, every teacher, every friend has left a mark on my heart that time cannot erase. No matter what happens, Welkin will always be a part of me.
Long live SRM Welkin, Sopore! My love for you remains unchanged.
am**********@***il.com