The start of a new beginning

So how did you feel when you woke up today? Fresh and excited? Worried with a knot in the pit of your stomach?

I remember waking up the first day of classes with a mixture of feelings... worried about getting to class on time (yes I was a nerd!), excited that I am on the track I have imagined for myself and happy to be busy to avoid feeling homesick.

It all went well in the end... better than that actually.

It's hard to say that leaving behind the school, friends and teachers you have known for almost your whole life is not going to be difficult... maybe a bit scary, but believe it or not soon you will find yourself surrounded with new friends, leading a new life and enjoying it.

Think about it... you have opened a new chapter in your life... the pages are empty... you get to write whatever you want. You can start fresh and be whoever you want to be.

Take advantage of where you are and don't let new professors, difficult projects, food in the cafeteria or long cues at the registration office intimidate you.

They say change is the only constant and I think the best way to adjust to any change is just to face whatever fears we have and hope for the best.

As my dear boss, Maria Kallukaren, said last week so many changes have been happening on the professional and personal level in Notes.

Maria is expecting a baby (cross your fingers it's going to be a girl and she's going to name her Reema), my dear friend Rania got married and I am so happy for her, Anupa now has greater responsibilities and I am sure enjoys reading the heap of letters from readers every day (May the force be with you!) and I am leaving Notes after almost three years.

What is going to happen and what to expect are some of the fears I deal with myself... the fear of the unknown I guess.

I won't lie and say I don't question what I have done sometimes, yet again why not take a risk and see what happens? It will all hopefully work for the best.

I guess what I am trying to say is that we should not be afraid to embrace the change.

So to freshmen I say have fun and enjoy yourselves... you are about to embark on the best life journey ever!
To returning students, well, have fun and don't stop reading Notes.

And before I exit I just want to say that many people have left a mark in my life while I was in Gulf News. Mr Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Editor in Chief, thank you for giving an opportunity to a once fresh graduate to join this great organisation and learn from the best.

Thanks to my dear colleagues, the Gulf News photographers (wish I could name you all, but I am dealing with a word limit!), who are extremely talented and were a joy to work with. To Meher Murshed, newsdesk editor, thanks for putting up with all my questions and interruptions!

Wish you all the best... and please don't forget me in your prayers.

Reema Saffarini
Notes Reporter
education@gulfnews.com