Heading back to university

A cross section of people tell us about their preparations for beginning a new academic year. We also give you a peek into their first school day traditions and their must-haves for the coming semester.

While heading back to school at the start of a new academic year involves getting into a shopping frenzy, for some it's a time for special get-togethers or even a simple matter of "turning the alarm back on."

Anika Berger , a second year college student at the London Metropolitan University in the UK, tells us about her shopping frenzy prior to heading back to university ."Living overseas,
I have a lot of shopping to get done; heavy clothes for the cold weather, shoes as well as books and new school supplies are all in my must buy list."

"Before she travels , Anika, pampers herself to some special treats that she cannot afford in London. For example, she gets a stylish haircut or a manicure and pedicure to look her best.

Nihal Salmeen, a second year student at the Emirates Aviation College in Dubai supports the get up, and, go theory. For her, back to school preparations are not too hectic and they just include buying basic items.

"If I was to go the supermarket to buy some stationery," she says, "all I would buy are some pens and lots of notebooks." "For us college students, it's not necessary to prepare much." We just get up and go." If not too excited about her stationery supply, Nihal does get excited about buying new electronic devices such as USB's , blank CDs and, if the budget allows, a new phone.

For Noha Salmeen, Thirteen grader at the Emirates International School in Dubai, going back to school is about looking good. The morning before school, Noha spends hours in front of the mirror fixing herself up. "Headbands are my favourite accessories", she says."

"I love to play around with them, changing them accordingly."

Rohan Roychoudhury, a fourth grader at Horizon School in Dubai is very excited to go to school and tells us to be looking forward to his sports hours where he gets to plays his favourite sport: soccer.

Now that school starts Rohan will have to change his sleeping schedule. Used to staying up late playing his favourite game, Rohan will have to switch back into school mode and get back to the "8 o'clock in bed" rule.

Talking to him, however, we feel that putting the alarm back won't be much of a concern. "I don't practice sleeping in advance", says Rohan, "the night before school starts I just say to myself that I have to wake up at 6 am and I do it."

However, there is something that Rohan will have to give up as school kicks off, and this will be his favourite game Club Penguin. A community game played online by the pre-teens, Club Penguin has turned into a favourite with many elementary school children.

Rohan says he spends his summer playing the game for hours. With the year about to commence, however, rules will be set again to playing only on weekends.

For Rohan, the must-do list is going down to the malls and getting what's needed for the new school year.

"Usually" , he says, "I and my mother go together to buy uniforms and sports outfits". The list also includes basic stationery items such as pencils, pens and notebooks. Speaking about pencils, we learn about Rohan's little lucky charm; a tiny pencil which he sharpens and sharpens until it's reached the size he likes. He confesses to bring it everywhere and to be extremely fond of it.

Hamed Al-Ruzaqi, ninth grader at Six Of August School in Abu Dhabi admits to like going back to school but as every one of us, to deeply hate exams.

"School is fun, but I wish exams didn't exist," says Hamed. The high school student likes to go online to check out information on his new grade. He says, "I always like to be prepared about what is going to happen on the first day." "For this reason, I log on to the school's website and check out who will be teaching me this year and who will be in my class."

Hamed also has a special back- to -school ritual where he meets with his friends to share their feelings about the new year. Stationery, of course , is a must buy for Hamed, along with sports outfits, new sunglasses and a new i-pod.

Noor Al-Ruzaqi, this year's youngest student, who will begin grade 3 at Al Nahda International School in Abu Dhabi ,says she likes school.

Her favourite subject is Arts and says to spend a lot of her time in school, drawing and colouring.

Of course her pre-school preparations are carried out by
her mother.

The third grader talks to us with decisive manners and tells us that she makes her mum buy everything she needs from pens, books, uniforms to a drawing kit.

Moustafa Mahmoud, overseas student at Portland State University in the States, says that preparing for college is all about taking care of your personal image and clothes.

"I spend the day before school washing my clothes and shaving," says Moustafa. "To give a good impression from the first day, it's important to look good and clean."

A peek into their first day back

Nihal, the fashion lover, believes that first day is all about making new friends and catching up with the old ones as well as looking good, of course!

College student Moustafa confesses to spend the morning psyching up in the car or driving around with loud music; an energy booster to confront the new year. Once on campus "I just go with the flow," says Moustafa, "and walk around to see where my classes are".

For Rohan, the first day is marked by a lot of enthusiasm but also some concern on how the new year is going to be.

"On the first day, I'm both excited and nervous "says Rohan. "I'm excited to start a new year, to move up a grade and see my old friends but also a bit nervous about my new subjects and teachers." His mother also tells us how Rohan's first day back is not easy for her either.

"Even if as a working mother it's comforting to know your child is back into routine, first day still makes me nervous," she tell us.

For Hamed, the excitement lies is checking out the new class, getting introduced to the new teachers and catching up with his old mates. "After school", he says, "it's tradition to have a little get together with my friends and celebrate the school's start."