Generation Z: Why always chasing grades? Why not feel the beauty of what you already have?
Nadiya Tasneem
Childhood, an era of innocence, where one is supposed to be the happiest, living in one’s own imaginary world, a world full of laughter and joy, far from the crowds of responsibilities and burdens.
I personally love listening to the stories of my parents talking about their childhood. It seems like a dream to me, something we call impossible nowadays. We are Generation Z, the ones who are favoured by distress, anxiety, pressure and academic burden. What holds value to this generation is not living life, but confining it to the dungeons of expectations.
How wonderful those days would have been, when children started their day with a smile, joy and enthusiasm, free from stress, witnessing the true beauty of life and childhood, spending time in the woods, giggling and bubbling with laughter.
The chatter and laughter that cherished all along,
The joy and pleasure carried by the breath of zephyr,
The giggles of thine, where have they gone?
Who whisked you away, what made you suffer?
My father often says, “You know nothing about what childhood is. Ask me. Oh, how much I miss those days, when we used to go to the paddy fields along with other family members, helping them in the processes of harvesting, tying, staking, threshing, drying, transporting and so on. We would go to our neighbours and relatives, spend time with them and learn new things. We studied little, yet we were richly blessed with the true joy of childhood.”
Since my childhood, I only had one aim, and that was to score the best, to go on top. I grew up keeping this very thing in my mind and never realised that life is not limited to these things.
You know what? During last year’s summer vacation, you wouldn’t believe it, my only to-do list for those 10 days was simply to cherish every moment of life. For those 10 days, I was totally out of my everyday life. I enjoyed and embraced every moment of my existence. I know it sounds crazy, but the happiness that I felt was lost earlier, and finally found its way. The peace of mind I felt in those moments is something I believe I won’t be able to forget for years to come. A feeling that felt lost, gradually found its destiny. That’s what they meant to me.
Ten days without stressful and exhausting studies.
Ten days of emancipation and tranquillity.
The flashbacks of those 10 days will keep lingering in my mind for the rest of my life, carved in my memory. I don’t deny the fact that focusing on your academic goals is vital, but I believe there must be a balance, a balance between what you do and what you can do.
I often think, why always chasing grades? Why not feel the beauty of what you already have? Why keep stress permanent when life itself is temporary? It’s not too late yet. We have miles to go.
Let’s cover this journey by being optimistic, free, balanced and gentle enough to rest, not just rush.
The writer is a Class 11 student at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Yaripora
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