Life in Lockdown: A Chapter I Will Never Forget

When lockdown was announced, I was in 7th standard, about to enter 8th. At that time, I didn’t fully understand how serious the situation was. All I knew was that schools were closing because of a virus. As a student, my first reaction was honestly happiness. No school? No exams? It felt like a surprise vacation.

In the beginning, lockdown felt amazing. For the first two or three months, I enjoyed every day. I didn’t have to wake up early. There was no rushing to school, no homework pressure, and no strict schedule. I spent my time watching TV, playing games on my phone, and just relaxing. It felt like a long holiday that would never end.

I also got to spend more time with my family. We watched movies together and talked more than usual. Everything felt calm and comfortable. At that time, I thought this break from school stress was something I needed.

But slowly, things started changing.

After a few months, the excitement disappeared. Staying at home all day became boring. I started missing my friends, my classroom, and even small things like walking to school. Every day felt the same. The same room. The same routine. The same activities. It started to feel frustrating.

My mobile phone and television became my main source of entertainment. At first, it was just to pass time. But gradually, it became a habit. I would spend hours scrolling without even realizing it. Online classes began, but they didn’t feel like real school. It was difficult to focus through a screen. Sometimes I attended classes but didn’t truly pay attention.

Slowly, my studies were affected. Without a proper routine, discipline became hard to maintain. There was no classroom environment, no direct interaction with teachers, and no competition with friends to stay motivated. Laziness started increasing, and my concentration decreased. I didn’t realize at that time how much my habits were changing.

As I moved through 8th and 9th standard during lockdown, this lifestyle continued. My screen time increased a lot. Days felt repetitive and unproductive. What once felt like freedom started to feel like a trap.

Finally, towards the end of 9th standard, lockdown began to end. Schools reopened, and life slowly returned to normal. Adjusting back was not easy. Waking up early again, focusing in class, and reducing phone usage required effort. It felt strange at first.

Looking back now, lockdown was both good and bad for me. It gave me rest and family time, but it also showed me how easily discipline can slip away. It taught me how powerful distractions can be when there are no limits.

Most importantly, it made me realize the value of normal life — going to school, meeting friends, studying in a classroom, and even stepping outside freely. These are simple things, but we only understand their importance when they are taken away.

Lockdown was not just a break from school. It was a phase that changed me. It affected my habits and my academics, but it also taught me important lessons about balance and self-control. Even though it was challenging, it is a chapter of my life that I will always remember.