To: First Benchers

“First Benchers”

What comes to your mind whenever you hear this? Perhaps your mind starts portraying the picture of that studious boy with spectacles on who can only think of studies and studies only. Many of you would agree to this and possess similar mindset.

Although, this might not be the case and just a pre-assumption. Let me give you an instance. You all must have seen those pictures doing rounds on social networking sites where first benchers are shown like geeks who know nothing beyond the world of books. We automatically assume that first benchers are like ‘Chatur’ (popular character of 3 Idiots); First benchers do not like to bunk lectures and….. all that stuff. 

Busy in getting clicked or talking

                                        

However, the truth is that the position of the bench does not decide the type of student you are. Like, you may find that studious girl in your class who attends ‘mass-bunk lectures’ on any bench and not specifically the first bench. And yes, people do need to understand that there is a difference in being a first bencher and being studious. We, generally, categorize them in same kind.

There are some first benchers whom I have come across who — do like to bunk; feel sleepy during those boring lectures which they have to attend for the sake of attendance and lastly, are not always into books.

Everyone has their reasons to be the first bencher or the last bencher. Whilst some may quote Bill Gates “To be successful, ask for last bench, my bench” (ironically not everyone would end up being Bill Gates), others may say “Teachers’ main focus is on the first bench that is why I do not sit there”. But the ground reality which I am observing nowadays is that the focus of teachers has shifted and now they tend to focus on the last benchers’ more.

Once I was sitting on the first bench with my friend. We, out of boredom, started fighting with legs and that too with the teacher standing in front of us. To my surprise he did not notice it (Note: Once he caught two students of our batch talking to each other and gave them handful of lecture on behavior-in-class).

On another day, teacher was asking each student questions regarding the text read day before. She made all the students answer her questions except those who were sitting on the first bench, pre-assuming they know the answers, without getting to know the real truth.

P.S. I am a first bencher and that doesn't make me boring!