From Discipline to Discovery: My Journey Through School and College

 

From Discipline to Discovery: My Journey Through School and College

​By John Aguiar

​Life is a series of chapters, but if I were to bookmark the ones that truly defined me, they would undoubtedly be my days at St. Mary’s Convent School, Ponda, and Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College, Margao. One gave me my roots; the other gave me my wings.

​The Foundation: Discipline at St. Mary’s

​My journey began in the quiet, disciplined environment of St. Mary’s Convent. Originally a school for girls, it transitioned into a co-educational space during my time, but the "Convent" ethos—rooted in manners and social etiquette—remained unshakable.

​Under the watchful eyes of the nuns, we didn’t just learn academics; we learned the value of a code. I vividly remember the "language tax"—the small fines imposed on us if we slipped into Konkani instead of English. It was a strict regime, but it polished our communication and instilled a sense of order. Even our uniforms told a story of growth, evolving from the classic grey shirts and shorts to the more formal long pants as we matured.

​I was a painfully shy child, the kind who preferred the background to the spotlight. However, my teachers saw something I didn't. They pushed me onto the stage for our school gathering, where I enacted the role of Ravli in the one-act play Shevteali Chali Bhoguneali Sun. That moment was a seed planted in a shy boy’s heart—a seed that would later bloom into a love for the arts. Through those years, I wasn't alone; I had a band of brothers—Socirto, Sukhvinder, Gaurish, Sudin, and Vincent—who turned those disciplined days into lifelong memories.

​The Transformation: Finding Flight at Chowgule College

​If school was a sheltered cocoon, moving to Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College in the late 70s and early 80s felt like stepping into the "open air." It was an era of change—vibrant, energetic, and marked by the unmistakable fashion of bell-bottom pants.

​College life offered a freedom I had never known. I traded the strict confines of the classroom for the rigors and rewards of the National Cadet Corps (NCC). The NCC was my crucible; it gave me the physical strength, the mental motivation, and the internal force to reinvent myself. It stripped away my shyness and replaced it with the confidence of a leader.

​My literary pursuits, which began with a small role in a school play, found a true home at Chowgule. I began writing and presenting playlets for college gatherings, finding my voice in the applause of my peers. The culmination of this transformation came when I was awarded the Best All-Round Student Award—a testament to the fact that I had finally learned to balance discipline with creativity.

​Reflection

​Looking back, I realize that the "cage" of school was necessary—it taught me how to stand straight and speak clearly. But it was the "open air" of college that taught me how to fly. To every student reading this, cherish both. One builds your character; the other builds your future.