Puberty and Perspective: Learning, Questioning, and Growing with Confidence - Nikunj Gupta

Today's session really helped me make sense of the changes I’m going through—both in my body and emotions—as I experience puberty. I learned that it’s all a normal part of growing up, mostly driven by hormones like testosterone and estrogen.

I also found it fascinating how our culture can shape the way we respond to things, even something as simple as food. One part that stood out to me was the example about deworming horses—it showed how the same word can mean completely different things depending on the context.

Overall, I feel more comfortable now discussing these topics and know it’s okay to ask questions or seek help when I need it.

Nikunj Gupta

Class VII

Sunbeam Suncity School

Embracing Change: Understanding Puberty with Confidence and Respect - Astha Mishra

The session on puberty was very informative and eye-opening. It helped me understand the changes that happen in our body and mind as we grow from children into teenagers. It also taught me the importance of involving an adult whenever we make any important decision.

Overall, the session helped me feel more confident and less awkward about this stage of life. It also taught me to be respectful and understanding toward others who are also going through these changes. I now see puberty not as something to be scared or ashamed of, but as a natural and important step in becoming a responsible and mature individual.

~Astha Mishra

Class IX

Sunbeam School, Ballia

Beyond Ordinary: The Century School’s Chronicle of Inner Light

Each person is born with special qualities that make them different from others. The foremost step to discovering one’s uniqueness is self-awareness. One has to observe what they enjoy doing the most—whether it’s a talent, a skill, or a hobby. Feedback also plays a crucial role in discovering one’s uniqueness.

Sometimes, this journey becomes difficult due to fear, lack of awareness, or parental pressure. It may be the fear of judgment or the feeling of not being “good enough.”

In the journey of discovering your uniqueness, don’t forget—never compare yourself with anyone. Be honest, curious, and confident. The real talent lies within, and the key to unlocking it is to believe in yourself and move forward with courage.

Anshika Sharma

The Century School, Karnal

—-

Kartik Bajoria shared how everyone possesses something unique and explained how he discovered his own. He is right in saying that instead of trying to fit in, one must embrace their differences.

His message is a powerful life lesson—that one’s uniqueness is not a flaw but a strength that leads to the true path of life.

Pranit Batra

The Century School, Karnal

Looking Back: Reflecting on the Journey - Sunbeam School Lahartara

At  Sunbeam School, Lahartara, we believe that  true learning begins when students pause to reflect. Reflection transforms experiences into insight, moments into meaning, and interactions into personal growth. Our recent  Meet and Greet session with Mr. Kartik Bajoria—a celebrated  coach and mentor—was not just an event; it was a mirror held up to every student’s thoughts, expressions, and aspirations. His words didn’t merely inform—they inspired, provoked questions, and awakened self-awareness. After the session, students took time to write, discuss, and share their reflections. This deliberate act of looking inward helped them:  Recognise how communication shapes confidence.  Acknowledge their own strengths and fears.  Connect what they heard to who they are becoming. Each reflection was a beam of light—unique, honest, and glowing with possibility. At Sunbeam, we don’t just teach students what to think; we nurture how they think. And through reflection, they grow not just smarter—but wiser, kinder, and more self-aware. 

The Secret Behind Her Productivity - Shambhavi Nautiyal

Surabhi was a 14-year-old straight-A student who always tried to make the most out of her time. She didn’t make friends, or maybe it’s just that her friends didn’t stick with her. She had been moving through her day, keeping much to herself and studying as much as possible. Then, a new transfer student ‘Kavita’ entered her life.

She was smart, confident, uninhibited and open about her feelings. She always looked so happy and ‘perfect’ in Surabhi’s eyes. It made her wish that she could be like her. Then, one day, Kavita came up to her and said “Hi!” She complimented Surabhi’s hair and how pretty she looked, which made her drop a tear or two.

Kavita kept probing her until Surabhi confessed how her mother never let her sleep, how she could not study ‘enough’ and just couldn’t make time, and then Kavita told her how the same things happened to her, and so she tried a new timetable which helped her.

Kavita asked Surabhi how she felt then, but she said "Nothing can ever help me". Then Kavita suddenly got all serious and said “If you don’t let yourself be helped, you won’t be helped”. Surabhi ran to the girl’s restroom, looked in the mirror, and realised that she had been betraying herself by telling herself that she could never succeed and everyone else was ahead of her not making any mistakes.

She told this to Kavita, when she confirmed to her that everyone including herself always went through times when they simply couldn’t achieve their goals overnight and had to do the job bit by bit. Surabhi was hit by a wave of discernment, how she had been gatekeeping a lot from her friends without actually knowing. When she was with them not much came out of her mouth and she just tried pushing her fears and problems under the rug because why would she trouble them with her problems, wouldn’t that just make her ‘uninteresting’, ‘cry-baby’ or ‘too sensitive and uncool’.

Kavita told her that it’s always okay to feel your feelings and first sort her things out before approaching a friend. Surabhi felt renewed and comforted for the first time in weeks and just decided to be grateful.

------------------------------------------- The End ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Shambhavi Nautiyal 

Class- 10

Ahlcon Public School

Once You Find the Way, You Will Do It - Anmol Kashyap

Once You Find the Way, You Will Do It

Discovering a path is similar to solving a puzzle. Once you have found the path that leads to your destination, it will give you confidence, strength, and courage to overcome obstacles. Education makes your journey easier because it is the only power that can help you in every difficult situation to achieve your goal. 

Once you find your way, there is no turning back; it is about understanding and knowing which steps to take. Upon discovering the path, you will realize that you can do it, and education will help you sharpen your skills, knowledge, and abilities to reach your goals.

Anmol Kashyap
Sunbeam School Lahartara

Reflection on I am the master of my fate - Shristi Khulal

When I consider the word fate, I think of luck and fortune. The above line talks about controlling our fate. A person born into a royal family becomes king even though he doesn't deserve it because of fate. He is not loved by the people of his kingdom. On the other hand, a person born as a common person who has all the qualities of becoming a king becomes a king by fighting and winning the throne, is loved by all, and is the real king.

We can see in the above story that the person who was born into the royal family got the position by fate and was not a true king by virtue. On the other hand, the person who was not born into the royal family was a real king who was loved by all; this shows that fate is not as powerful as hard work and qualities.

We can either be the first king or the second; it all depends on us. Whenever a person gets success by chance, the person never knows the meaning of hard work and cannot taste the real success in life. The other person knows that he and his actions are responsible for whatever happens in his life.

At last, I want to say that mastering our fate is important, as it gives us confidence and improves our way towards life.

Shristi Khulal
Pestalozzi Children Village Society
Image Courtesy- Story Planets

Does believing help escape the person out of negativism? - Tenzin Nyesel

Picture Courtesy: https://devpost.com/software/escaping-the-negativity

Does believing in one help escape the person out of their negative thoughts?

I believe that. 

Sometimes trusting or having faith in one helps to come out of that difficult situation in our mind. It might even free your mind when you have someone beside you to give you that positive vibe. 

I have been through this situation many times - where you feel that you don't have self-love, self-confidence and self-respect towards yourself. 

But having someone with whom you can share all your innermost fears and ideas can heal those negative thoughts. It frees you from thoughts which have been bugging you in daily life. 

Tenzin Nyesel

Pestalozzi Children's Village, India.

Benefits Of Reading - Avni Kochhar

Reading is an activity that may have evolved over time. Reading first became popular in ancient Babylon around 2000 BC.

Reading is understanding it better and comprehending its meaning more fully. This, in turn, allows for understanding written texts independently of oral communication. This also allows people to read more rapidly and with less effort than without reading comprehension. In more straightforward language, reading benefits both body and mind; it's all interconnected! 

At My Good School, all of this is nothing! One hour of weekly reading boosts your confidence, creativity, and critical thinking! 

Remember the 6 C's: Critical thinking; Creativity; Collaboration; Communication; Character; and Citizenship.

Avni Kochhar
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

My Reflection on Self-control - Nishan Karki

"Ultimately, the only power to which man should aspire is that he exercises over himself." -Elie Wiesel.

Self-control means controlling our feelings, emotions and actions when we are angry, irritated, upset, enraged, etc. Self-control helps us in several ways. It leads a path for us to be a good person, it leads to a good life, it leads to happiness and receives us from certain emotions such as sadness, anger, depression and evil actions such as fight, gambling, ganging, etc. There are many ways to develop self-control. I have mentioned some of them below:

1. We need to correct our way of thinking.
2. We need to have a goal in life and follow that goal to achieve success.
3. We should have the confidence and willpower to do things correctly.
4. We should focus on our work daily.
5. We should be self-motivated and inspired and also take motivation from good people.

6. We should learn to control our feelings, thoughts, emotions and actions.

- Nishan Karki
Pestalozzi Children's Village India 

We are reading.

What is peer pressure and how can we deal with it? - Tenzin Nyesel

Generally, everyone has a circle of peers with whom they are comfortable talking and sharing things. But sometimes the circle you are in might not have the people with whom you are meant.

Sometimes, the people in our circle pressure us to do the work they demand, which might need to be corrected. When our peers give orders instead of advice, it leads us on the wrong path and makes us do bad things; that’s when we go through peer pressure. 

Peer pressure affects us not only physically but also mentally. Due to this, many people of young age get spoiled physically and mentally. They lose their concentration power. It decreases self-confidence and self-worth. Also, distances us from our family members and friends.

Tenzin Nyesel
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Positive Attitude In Life - Sulochana Rana

Positive people can maintain a broader perspective and see the big picture, which helps them find solutions.  

We will get the following things if we have a positive attitude in our life:-

• Happiness
• Self-confidence
• Strong Immune System
• More focus

We can get a positive attitude by loving ourselves, giving time to ourselves, practising meditation, Listening to music and looking at the bright side after getting laid off.

Sulochana Rana

sr@learningforward.org.in

Spreading the joy of learning at My Good School.

Image source: https://possibilitiesunlimited.com/how-to-feel-more-positive-and-energized/

Education and financial independence - Mishu Gupta

Education and financial independence are tools that can help us face difficulties. Still, confidence must be developed throughout life means that if we are educated, we will try to make changes in society and the thoughts of ordinary people.

For example, well before our society, girls were said to stay at home and had no right to be educated, which led to discrimination between boys and girls. On this matter, many educated people tried to remove this thought from their minds (many failed also) because they knew what the outcome would be. They kept on trying, and today we can see the conclusion. A woman who belongs to a tribal caste is heading a country (Smt. Droupadi Murmu), setting an example every day. Many women play a significant role in our lives. And also we are so grateful to them.

Speaking in front of an audience and trying to express my thoughts in front of someone is an excellent way to improve self-confidence in our self.   

Mishu Gupta 
Pestalozzi Children's Village India

Something You Want To Change In Yourself and How? - Pestalozzi India

Many people have been continuously advising me to change my behaviour as I might lose all my friends and people around me because of my behaviour. I am also an ill-tempered person and dismissive of their suggestions. I make false promises and divulge without thinking how they might feel later who trusted me so much. I dither whenever I have to make any difficult choice, maybe because of my anxiety and lack of confidence. I should speak up for myself and build self-confidence. I will be a trustworthy person. Even Pestalozzi has given us many opportunities by organising workshops to be self-possessed to improve our public speaking skills and body language among many people. 

Jeni Sherpa

There are many personality traits that I want to change that are not good for me. The first thing I want to change is my temperament; I am short-tempered, get angry about minor things, and start fighting with the person who made me angry. I should change this habit and try to ignore those little things. The next thing I wanna change in me is that I am lazy. The things I plan every time I don't do due to my laziness. I should habitually become more punctual with the timelines and stop procrastinating. Another thing is that I am shy and nervous in front of people whom I don't know, and I overthink. I should interact more with other people and be more confident about myself. 

Shristi Khulal

Being Lost - Reveda Bhatt

Being lost, being different is not at all bad; we, in that state, create a world of our own in the world in which we only own a few of its bits-

Comprehending this, what do you think? Is it better to own a non-existent world or to keep on struggling to hold something in this world where we all are?

It's like sometimes, you're deep, swimming in your thoughts, and most of the time, you know that you are dreaming and trust me, you will not long to wake up from those! Sometimes, having a hell of stress from this world on your mind, closing your eyes, opening the door to your own world and just staying there for a while feels like heaven and gives you wings (inspired by the tagline of Red Bull…lol).

Well, moving ahead with that, sometimes that happens with me too, wait though; I'll reframe it as per the truth-many a time! Remembering when I used to stare blankly at a point, lying in my ICU bed, my father sometimes asked me, "Wait, let me reframe that again, many times," Why are you lost?" Okay, I won't blame him for that, maybe he thinks that it is a side-effect of my "three-year-old diffuse axonal brain injury grade IV," Woah! That is a very complex name (lol again)! So, everyone dreams while sleeping, but why not sometimes dream while awake? You know, but that feeling of being elsewhere while being somewhere, when you're just sitting idle, gives you the kind of calmness you can't find anywhere!

Plus-point, looking at a point when lost in thoughts also increases your confidence level because you just aren't bothered about all happening around you at that moment!

Now, think again, if you previously denied the 'in-your-own-world-existence', isn't it cool?

Okay, so that was a lot of thinking for this one, getting it over with, try it once and fill me in about it!

Reveda Bhatt
Grade 9
The Aryan School

You're Really A Good Girl - Rishona Chopra

 

" You're Really A Good Girl," said the headmaster to Totto-chan and the better part is that Totto-chan agreed with him; now that's what I call - self-esteem and self-love. 

It was not that she wasn't a good girl; she was a really good girl. She was kind and helpful, but always curious took the better of her. It always got her into trouble! I wonder what a marvellous friend she would be!  

Telling a young child that he/she is a good girl/ boy is really good. It means to say that - Some people may not think we are good, but your character is not bad. It has an excellent great deal, and I know that. Maybe someone makes us believe we are not great, but when we have one person who tells us that he believes in us and likes us, doesn't it feel great even if it is your friend. These words instil self-confidence in us, which is very important.

So, today let's give ourselves a message that we are great girls and boys!

 

Totto-chan, you're great,
You're someone with who I can relate,
You are kind,
You help the blind.
You are sweet,
You acted like you were meat!
You have amazing skills,
You bravely climb hills.

You wanted to be a ticket seller,
But you could even be a storyteller!
You want to be a spy and a musician,
You truly have a great ambition.

You're talkative and have so much to tell,
You're a great rebel.
I wish I were a bit more like you!
And that's true!

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Humility - Rishona Chopra

Here is my podcast on humility

Do you wish to rise?
Begin by descending.

Do you plan a tower that will pierce the clouds?
Lay first the foundation of humility.

Rishona Chopra 
Grade VI
Gyanshree school

Why Go To School? - Sherkhan

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself" - John Dewey.

Although our home is our first school. Despite that, formal schooling is also essential. We go to a school, of course, to learn and get educated, but also we develop social skills and learn to interact with the world, we develop the confidence to speak and perform in front of an audience.

When I was in 5th standard, I was selected for the theatrical performance in our Annual Function. The play's theme was based on a suspenseful yet exciting story, "The Jungle Book". I was to give the voice to the character of "Sherkhan". Other than many long dialogues, there was voice modulation to match with the voice of a tiger if it could speak. We practised for around 1 and half months or so. However, I became nervous on the day of the performance and thought that I would blackout and forget my dialogues. When I started performing, I surprisingly remembered all my dialogues, and the whole thing turned out quite well. After the performance, the chief guest of the function appreciated me in front of everyone.

Our principal Mrs Brinda Ghosh blessed and appreciated me for my success. I also got recognition from all my Shreegurus, and for some time, I was known as; Sherkhan.

A school is a plethora of knowledge learning skills and a place where we can express our creativity with no limits.

Yashraj Sharma (Sherkhan)

Class: VIII D

Gyanshree School

Image courtesy: https://www.namu.moe/

My Imaginary Friend - Arav Agarwal

It is said, “A daily dose of daydreaming heals the heart, soothes the soul and strengthens the imagination.

An imaginary friend is an invisible friend we like to play with and who keeps us in the company. Having an imaginary friend enhances our creativity as we think of an imaginary friend.

My imaginary friend is my imaginary cricket bat. I talk to it, share my countless stories of success and failures with it and hold it tight when I need strength. It supports me in my matches and tells me to give my best. It also gives me hope in my sad times and builds my confidence. The best thing about my imaginary friend is that it listens patiently to all my sharing’s and is available whenever I need to talk. My imaginary friend is very special to me and is my best companion. If you have an imaginary friend, do share it with us.

Name: Arav Agarwal
Grade: 5C
Billabong High International School, Thane

Handling Pressure - Anusha Jain

Anusha Jain, IX, Ahlcon Public School
I am very fond of reading, and Harry
Potter is my favourite series.

Reflecting on Chapter 4, HandlingPressuree from the book Is Your Child Ready To Face The World? by Dr Anupam Sibal.

HANDLING PRESSURE 

It’s no pressure. It’s a responsibility we put it on ourselves

-Abby Wambach    

Wambach’s quote describes pressure in my life. My parents are very understanding and supportive. They never forced me to score good marks or burn myself for winning. But, I always tried to excel and made them proud. If I failed, which I did many times, I would get upset. I don’t remember that my parents ever hit or scolded me for not securing full marks. ‘‘Better luck next time!’’ they would say.

For instance, even after working very hard, I had done terribly wrong in an exam. I cried and was disappointed. My mother gave me her comforting smile and encouraged me to try next time. This has taught me that if we don’t put unnecessaPressureure on children, they will take responsibility and give their best.