Nostalgic Brits become dewy-eyed about their school days with thoughts of assembly, a new exercise book and kindly dinner ladies all bringing back memories.
They rank as some of the most missed features of school life along with chips for lunch, British bulldog in the playground and the joy of the last day of term.
According to a survey of 1,500 adults more than a quarter look back with fondness at the thrill of lighting a Bunsen burner in the science lab.
One in five recall milk at break times and almost two in 10 remember teachers wheeling out the telly on rainy days.
A third enjoyed the fun of putting new pens, pencils, sharpeners and erasers into a pencil case for the start of a new school year.
And a quarter pined for the old school tuck shop while one in 10 remembered the feeling of importance when handed a clipboard on a field trip.
The feeling of excitement around the last of term topped the list with just over a third of adults saying it filled them with nostalgia while recalling PE on blue gym crashmats also made the top 20.
Eight in 10 adults said they enjoyed their school days and seven in 10 became misty-eyed just thinking about them.
The research by Cadbury Roses found almost six in 10 yearned to turn the clock back so they could say thank you to an inspirational teacher.
And two thirds revealed their favourite teacher gave them self-belief and confidence for which they would always be grateful.
Flowers, books and a box of chocolates were the most popular end of year gifts for teachers while history, art and maths were the three favourite subjects for Brits who now have children of their own.
Cadbury brand spokesperson, Emma Holt said: “It’s heart-warming to know so many of us have such fond memories of our school days and it’s clear from the research that teachers play a really important role.
“We know 95% of us think teachers do a really important job that isn’t always easy, but it’s sometimes difficult to know how to say ‘thank you’.
“So as the end of term approaches, we hope Cadbury will make this gesture of gratitude, a little easier.”
Top 20 things that make Brits feel nostalgic about their school days
1. The last day of term
2. Sports day
3. Getting new stationery for your pencil case
4. Lighting a Bunsen burner
5. Writing on your mate’s shirt when you leave school
6. Favourite teacher
7. School assembly
8. School discos
9. Getting a brand-new exercise book
10. Dinner ladies
11. The school tuck shop
12. Chips for lunch
13. Having milk at break time
14. Blue gym crash mats
15. When they wheeled the big TV out when it was raining
16. Playing British bulldog
17. Calling your teacher mum instead of miss by mistake
18. Signing your name on someone’s broken arm cast
19. Being let off PE because you had a cold
20. Being given a clipboard on a field trip
