Early morning. Time for school. Time to rush. But, as we know, rushing can have its own problems, like forgetting a book or exercise book. If you are lucky enough, you can always follow your lessons or do your classwork with the help of a classmate?s textbook. If you are not, then just too bad for you. Concerning the exercise book, it?ll be hard to explain to the teacher that you really did your homework. No exercise book, no evidence. It?s highly embarrassing and it can even entail detention if the teacher is in one of his dirty moods.

In your rush you may even miss taking your pocket money. OK, you no longer pay any bus fare. Still, having some money on you is a reasonable thing. Money is one thing you?ll always need for one reason or another. You may be compelled to borrow from your classmates. This is hardly pleasant ? they may, to your consternation, plainly refuse or pretend they can?t afford to lend. Even if you are lent some money, it might be on numerous conditions.

In your hurry to catch a bus, you may leave behind your food, so painstakingly prepared by your mother. Nothing can make you angrier than realising that everything is safely tucked in your satchel except your food. You may buy yourself something but school canteens, needless to say, have the sad reputation of being overcrowded with everybody scrambling, elbowing, jostling and competing to be the first buyer. You may be unsuccessful in buying something. Who will give/share with you his/her food? Tell me.

Now, all these can prove bitter experiences. However, if you decide to go about your affairs in a systematic manner, it?ll be easier for you. For instance, on the eve of a school day, before bedtime or even earlier, be clear about all the items you?ll need for the next day. Get your satchel ready, collect your books and copybooks and your money. Make sure your shoes and socks are nearby. It can be a heavy strain on your nerves early in the morning to discover that one shoe is nowhere to be found or one sock has vanished - and others are wet or dirty. So what do you do? Start wailing? Thus, with your necessities easily available, there is little likelihood of your forgetting them.

It is also important to do your homework on the eve rather than going to bed early or watching television till late hoping that you will wake up earlier to catch up. For a few students, this may work. For many, it may not. Besides, doing your homework with sleep weighing heavily on your eyelids and your mind clouded is scarcely recommended. Besides, what?s the use of rushing through your homework only to produce something shoddy, unsatisfactory and almost incomprehensible to yourself?

Make it a point to always keep some money in your satchel. So, even if one day you find that your wallet or purse is not on you, no problem. It?s as simple as that. Incidentally, this may apply to passengers in general. Those who have found themselves digging wide-eyed into their pockets and rummaging through their bags - under the amused gaze of fellow passengers and with the conductor watching with his nose screwed up ? and having no choice but to alight with a subdued sigh and bracing themselves for a long ordeal, will certainly know what I mean.

In the morning learn to keep cool. When your mind is calm, you can concentrate better and there is practically no possibility of forgetting your money/mobile/project. In other words, be a bit disciplined to avoid falling into situations with nasty consequences.

Very often, little things vastly improve our lives. Remember this.

Suresh RAMPHUL