Education's purpose is to replace
an empty mind with an open one.
Malcolm Forbes
My education began at home. I was taught by my grandmother how to read and write. That’s why my first days at primary school were not the tragedy for me. I adapted quickly. Most of all, I remember my friends and the time when we had a lot of fun together. At the age of ten, I went to the local comprehensive school. It was co-educational, because I preferred to study with boys, not only with girls, although there were occasions when having boys in the class was more of a distraction than an aid to learning. I excelled academically and did not show off too much with it. It helped me to be popular not only among excellent pupils, but also among non-achievers.
At the age of fifteen, I passed my O levels, all with an A grade. It was high time I started to prepare for my A levels. I agonized over two years what university and what profession to choose. During my studying at the secondary school I dreamed about the profession of pharmaceutist, but after all I came to the conclusion that my future was inseparable from studying of the languages. It was my own decision and parents supported me. My last two years at school passed very quickly. I didn’t take part in many extra-curriculum activities, because I was not fond of dancing or singing, but sometimes we organized school-parties for our teachers and ourselves.
The standard of teaching was extremely high in our school. That’s why having A levels was not a problem for me. Besides the process of studying our teachers were interested in our moral upbringing. In some situations it was very helpful.
After finishing school with the gold medal I could enter our university without exams. I was living away from home for the first time. It was difficult not to have my parents around, but now I can fend for myself.
If I could do it all again, would I do anything differently? If I were back at secondary school, I would like to have more extra-curricular activities. I have never regretted the decision to enter this university and this department. And I hope my education will help me in my future life.
