Leaver Interview | Charvi, Class of 2024
The 2023-24 academic year is fast coming to a close. Another class of Wellingtonians will soon go out into the world to accomplish great things. Until then, some of our 2024 Leavers are reflecting on their time at Wellington and what lies on the road ahead after graduation.
Charvi shares with us how she has learned the value of personal responsibility and what it means to be part of something bigger than herself. Of course, she has managed to have a bit of fun and make some great friends along the way too. As she looks ahead to studying psychology at Erasmus University in the Netherlands she reflects on a year well spent at Wellington.
What were your impressions on your first day here?
Honestly, on my first day here, the only thing I could think about was how beautiful the campus is and all the facilities. I felt like I was at Hogwarts.
In what ways has Wellington helped you grow or build character?
I think I've become more independent. The subject teachers treat us more maturely. They delegate work to us in a manner that they think that we're responsible enough to do certain things on our own. In my previous school, we weren’t given that degree of independence. We don’t even have bells to tell us when classes start and begin. But everyone's responsible; everyone keeps track of time. The teachers, the pupils, all the way from Lower Prep to Senior School, they have that sense of responsibility.
Tell us about something you never would have experienced if you were not a Wellington pupil.
In the first few weeks of the school year, we had this team-building workshop, where years 12 and 13 went out to play laser tag with the teachers. That really helped me to bond with my peers and my teachers as well. That was something new to me. I knew that this was the kind of thing that companies did, but I had never seen something like it for a school.
Did you shoot out any of your teachers with your laser?
I did!
Who did you get?
Ms Bannister!
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I don’t know which country, but I know that I want to be studying. I want to be, perhaps, doing my master's degree in clinical psychology or neurobehavioural psychology, something like that. I also see myself singing and writing songs and perhaps pursuing a career in music while studying.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now then?
Research in psychology. But I also want to help people. I want to work with people while conducting research. And of course, to be able to do research, I need that experience first. I also want to be married. And I think wherever I am, I want to be able to spend time with my family.
What about Wellington resonates most with you?
I think ‘Be You. Be More.’ That's something that has stuck with me since my Induction Day. And, of course, going around school, people have their own versions of it, but I think that it's a very beautiful phrase. Whoever came up with it has beautifully captured the essence of what this school is about. It’s about being yourself and being unique, all the while being on a team. So you're your own self, but together you're part of something bigger.
Can you share a uniquely Wellington moment with us?
I remember one day in the Sixth Form Centre, the year 12 pupils had gone out for a university exhibition. It was just the year 13 pupils here, and there weren't many teachers around. So, we had a little water fight in the Sixth Form Centre. We took care of the facilities. We didn't make that big of a mess, but I think it was one of the core memories, bonding with the rest of my year group.
What will you miss most about Wellington?
I will miss hanging out with my friends during lunchtime and break times and going for walks around the campus. And now, with exams happening, we don't come to school every day. We come for a few hours to write our exam and go back home. So, I'm generally missing school and that daily routine of seeing my friends first thing in the morning, asking them about their day and just spending time with them.
What advice do you have for incoming year 13 pupils?
Just find that balance between work and enjoyment. The pressure is going to be immense, so prioritise your work. But remember to take breaks. Usually, what I see is that either someone's having fun all the time or someone's working all the time. So try and find that balance. Try to complete your work as soon as possible and then go out with your friends. If you know that you're not going to study that evening, then just go out. Don't just stay at home and not do work.
Also, listen to your teachers. They're not your enemies. All the work that they give you to do is intended to help you. Even though you're dreading it, just do it. It’s going to help you a lot.
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