It's that time of year again

Final exams start in a month!  At the Residential Program, we have adopted an intensive study schedule that even includes putting extracurricular activities like football (soccer) practice and computer time on hold until exams are over.  The kids have a shortened school day because their school is being used as a testing centre for the 10th standard board exams in the afternoons.  The upside?  This gives us even more time to study!  The downside?  This gives us even more time to study.  Here's a glimpse into our daily schedule for the next month:

5:30 am-7:00 am - Wake up and get ready for school
7:15 am-10:00 am - School
10:30 am-11:45 am - Down time at home
11:45 am-1:00 pm - Lunch time, chores and play time for kids who finish early
1:00 pm-3:00 pm - English Study Time*
3:00 pm-3:30pm - Play time
3:30 pm-4:30 pm - Snack time, chores and play time for kids who finish early
4:30 pm-6:00 pm - English Study Time*
6:00 pm-6:45pm - Play time
6:45 pm-8:15 pm - Dinner time, chores and play time for kids who finish early
8:15pm-9:00pm - Reading time or optional study time
9:00pm - TIME FOR BED.

[* For those not familiar with the lingo, "English Study Time" is what the children named general study periods back in 2005 when they were brand new to AIC and didn't know any English (hence, in their eyes, no matter what we were actually teaching them, the main thing they were trying to grasp was the English itself).  Despite being an awkward-sounding, and often inaccurate name (as the children use this time to study all of their academic subjects), “English Study Time” has stuck.]

We're two days in and exhausted already.  There is always at least one person napping during our down time - staff and volunteers included.  We can't wait for summer vacation!

Tushar, sleeping during study time