The Year That Grew Me Up

They say Class 10 is the golden era of school life. I used to roll my eyes at that statement—until I lived through it myself.

Now, sitting here just 20 days before my board exams, I find myself looking back at a year that felt like the most chaotic, beautiful movie I've ever been part of. A year of bold choices, hard lessons, calculated risks, and memories that still make me smile at random moments.

So here's my version of a diary—not quite Anne Frank's, but one that I'll probably laugh (and maybe cringe) at years from now.

The Dummy School Decision

It all started with my decision to join dummy school. After countless hours of research, forum deep-dives, and YouTube rabbit holes, I finally took the plunge. Spoiler alert: it wasn't all sunshine and academic freedom.

Leaving my friends behind and sacrificing my social life wasn't exactly thrilling, but I did it anyway. Sometimes you have to bet on yourself, even when the odds feel uncertain.

Then, around March, something shifted. I joined Landmark, and it completely changed how I viewed life and, more importantly, how I viewed myself. It was like someone had handed me a new lens to see the world through.

Looking back, I admire the confidence, even if the execution was... well, let's call it "enthusiastic."

RYC: The Reputation Makeover

Enter RYC—the chapter that completely transformed my social trajectory. Suddenly, I wasn't just "the tech guy" anymore. I was building a reputation, making meaningful connections, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I actually mattered in social circles.

Before this, my "reputation" was... let's just say I had a track record that would make Penny from The Big Bang Theory proud. But at RYC, something changed. I started growing up, bit by bit.

DPSU MUN & The Love Story That Wasn't

Right when I was riding high on my newfound "main character energy" from RYC, DPSU MUN came along. Another confidence boost, another taste of leadership, and yes—another girl.

I fell hard. She ended up dating the exact guy I had warned her about. Predictable? Completely. Painful? A little. But that story dragged on all the way through half-yearly exams, teaching me valuable lessons about timing and reading situations.

Academic Reality Check

Half-yearly exams hit like a freight train. The brutal realization: I didn't know anything. Scored a 46—rough, but I let it slide because the school trip was just 15 days away.

That trip turned out to be one of the weirdest, most chaotic, and utterly unforgettable experiences of my life:

• A friend overdosed on alcohol on Day 1—I had to physically intervene to prevent a complete meltdown
• We hosted an epic feast in our room, celebrating our collective chaos
• The great penthouse room battle—I fought for my friends' comfort, even if it meant risking my standing with some teachers

And how could I forget the magic of Mall Road, Shimla? Or those quiet moments that taught me about friendship and loyalty in ways no classroom ever could.

The Comeback

Post-trip, something clicked. I got serious—joined regular tuitions, studied and started crushing competitions: district level, regional, and soon, nationals.

Then came Pre-Boards II, and everything changed. For the first time in two years of winging it, I actually knew how to study. I had a system, a plan, and most importantly, the discipline to execute it.

Looking Back

Class 10 was messy, loud, chaotic, and absolutely golden. Sometimes I laugh at how naive I was. Other times, I just smile and think, "Damn. That really was my golden era."

The year taught me that growth isn't linear—it's a series of ups and downs, mistakes and recoveries, bold moves and quiet reflections. It's about learning to bet on yourself, even when you're not sure what the outcome will be.

As I sit here, 20 days away from boards, I'm grateful for every chaotic moment, every mistake, and every lesson that shaped this year. Because sometimes, the years that challenge you the most are the ones that grow you the most.

Until we meet again,
January 19, 2025