Honestly, 3rd grade was kind of like 2nd grade. But there were few things that were different. First of all, our classrooms were changed. Now, like I told you before, my school had classes from 2nd to 12th and each class used to have 3 sections named A, B and C. Brightest and intelligent in section A, average and students with potential in section B and lastly mischievous, naughty and idiot students in section C. I know it's fucked up. They literally divided the students based on their marks alone. But that's not the most fucked up part. Section A would have the best teachers while other sections' teachers weren't that good. I have experienced it myself. It was same for every class. At that time, I used to be in section B, not because my grades used to be low but because most of the students in section A were those who have been studying there since the beginning. Another bad part… Nepotism.
But there is another really weird part about that school. There is a girls' college right besides our school by the same committee. And when I got in 3rd grade, our classrooms changed. But here comes the funny or weird thing. The classroom we were relocated to wasn't in the school, it was in the college. Yes, you heard it right. I had already gone to a college and studied in one when I was just in 3rd grade.
Apparently, they did it because our school didn't have enough classrooms for all the students. School was suffering from success. Well, it was well deserved. From where I was, most parents only cared about studies. They didn't want their children to waste their time on useless things like sports, music or anything else. And since my school was cheaper than most schools in the city and only focused on studies, it was a perfect choice for (Asian) parents, especially for middle class parents which are the majority at where I am from. No one cared about what children wanted.
Apparently, we were too young to decide about our future. But children did know what they liked and hated. Everything was excuses because no one cared. That's just how it was at where I was from during that time. Extremely typical Asian mentality. I can't really blame parents either. They believed that studies were the only thing that gave their children a chance at doing great in their lives. It was their only hope. No, I think it's better to say that studying gave their children the best chances out of everything at being successful in life. They didn't even consider the fact that every child is different and even if their child wasn't good at studying, it wasn't the end of the world. If it helps, things have gotten better now. Parents are learning.
I won't lie but I liked the classrooms in college more than the classrooms in our school. Because our classrooms were quite cold and dark there during the summer and warm during the winter. We didn't have coolers, heaters or air conditioners in school classrooms, only ceiling fans. Well, that's nothing unusual. If a school had those things in the classes, it was considered a top tier school which only rich parents could afford. Considering the fees and other facilities which my school didn't have, it wasn't surprising that my school didn't have those things as well. Well, that's precisely why we were able to pay the fees which was still too much. Not only that, overall condition of classrooms in the college was also better, and they were cleaner as well. I could have studied there for the rest of my school life if I had to.
So, once I got in 3rd standard, me and my classmates were sent to a classroom in the girls' college. Yes, I had to repeat it. But many of my classmates were sent to other sections and students from other sections came in my section, section B. I don't remember most of my classmates from that time because I used to talk with only few people. But I do remember them and some others as well.
In 3rd grade, I won a competition for best handwriting. It was first and last time I won because after that my handwriting became bad… because I became fast. Yes, I exchanged quality with speed. I don't remember if an annual function happened that year but maybe I just don't remember about it.
See, in the lower classes, I rarely participated in the competitions or events because they required fees. Not only that, but I also didn't really like participating in anything either. I was a shy kid. It might seem boring to you but for me it was the best. I preferred to be left alone and just do my thing which was nothing. I guess I have always been lazy.
In 3rd grade, one more girl from my village joined my school and she was even in the same class as me. Many times, when I was absent in school, I would go to her house to ask for homework. Now that I think about it, it's quite embarrassing. Let's call her Aria. I was not friends with her. It was purely a mutually beneficial relationship.
But just because we were from the same village and I used to go her home to get the homework sometimes, my cousins and even my classmates used to tease me. They thought that there was something going on in between us. Obviously, they were wrong, but it did use to annoy me. Many times, I would shout at them and not talk to anyone for days. Then, they would come apologizing. Shake my head… that's exactly why most boys around my age didn't have any female friends. We were too afraid to even talk to a girl because our friends would make fun of us to no end. No matter the time and era, guys will be biggest enemies of themselves.
Well, just like that I passed the 3rd standard with flying colors. I was good at studies and since I didn't like to do other things... it was my only option. Well, I liked drawing, but colors were expensive. I didn't have the pleasure of using them as I pleased. To be honest, I think most people do well at studies in primary classes. Those who didn't… I am sure there are other things you are great at! I am just joking.
If someone is reading this, I hope you don't get annoyed at my sense of humour or rather me trying to be funny to appear as if I am alright. I ask for your forgiveness and patience. And a little heads up, it gets much worse gradually.