It is most unfortunate to have tough times while studying in schools or colleges, we do encounter such problems for no fault of hours. This is the period in life when one is in an impressionable age. He or she is under the influence of parents, peers and teachers. Sometimes he or she gets instructions from parents and teachers leading to contradictory values.
And the child is in a dilemma. Whom to obey ? The parents or the teachers ? If he or she lives in a hostel, he is not under the immediate influence of the parents, but the peers and teachers count. The peer-group influence is so strong that the sociologists are doing research on the subject.
Co-education
Co-education is a double-edged sword. It can teach how to behave with a friend of the opposite sex. But, if infatuation enters the boy-girl relationship, problems come up. That’s why many parents do not encourage co-education. I have always been benefitted by the co-educational system. The other day I met a friend of mine, who was studying at the Stewart School, when I was at the Stewart College, Cuttack. Although she had greyed and had become a grand mother, she had preserved the grace in her face - as sweet as ever. Our silence at the meeting enabled meaningful communication between us. I recollected that once there was a marriage proposal from her family, but somehow, it did not materialise. Both of us had grown over the situation. And this is education in human relationship.
Any tough time can be turned to an educational situation through proper counselling. There should be Counselling Bureaus in each and every school and college manned by trained counsellors. Our parents should also be oriented towards counselling. Positive thinking leads to a life worth living !