Introduction
Mental health is no joke. Being an Indian, I have always heard that if a person seeks mental guidance, he/she is crazy.
It has become a taboo to talk about these things which need our valuable attention. Thankfully, things are changing with time in the era of social media, but some parents and students are still dwelling on the idea of how a student faces mental struggles.
When a student gets into college, he has to face a lot of things, both tangible and intangible.
Here are some of the common ones: expectations of parents, pressure to be successful, loneliness, and peer pressure.
It is crucial to address these mental struggles for both a student's growth and the development of our nation.
This post will specifically highlight the mental pressure and struggles of NEET and JEE aspirants in detail. It will also give you strategies to better deal with your problems. Be with me on this insightful journey.
Pressure to Perform
Being an Indian student, I have seen the immense mental pressure parents and teachers put on their children without considering their needs and wants. I feel your pain, dear.
- Parental Expectations: Parents are the ones who brought us into this world, but it hurts when they don't understand our feelings and emotions. Some parents constantly ask their children if they are studying or not, threatening them to snatch away their phones, fixing their marriage without their will, and I can go on like this all night.
I have seen the worst cases where one of my friends who was a NEET aspirant wished me on my birthday when her mom was not at home. This level of fear shows how pressurised they are just to crack an exam.
- Peer Comparison: Unfortunately, this one is also linked with parents. They compare the ranks of their children with their peers, lowering their children's self-esteem.
One of my friends, who was a JEE aspirant, told me that his father used to beat him with a belt if his rank got down.
- Competitive Exams: Next is the huge syllabus of JEE and NEET, which needs 10 years to be completed, but coaching centres, our parents want us to complete in a year. So, tell me. How can a student not be anxious, restless, and hopeless in this situation?
Fear of Failure
The society wants us to succeed. Is it a myth? Of course, it is.
They put a lot of pressure on a student, and he starts fearing failure. Failure is a stepping stone in the journey to succeed, but this society never teaches us that. If we won't fail, then how can we succeed?
- Stigmatization of Failure: Society views failure as negative. If you fail an exam, you are a loser. If you can't crack NEET/JEE, you are a loser. It's false. Listen to great people.
Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm. ~ Winston Churchill
- Impact on Self-Worth: If a student is initially scared by his parents, society, and coaching industries, then how can he perform well in an examination with such low self-worth?
- Avoidance Behavior: If a student avoids social circles, extracurricular activities, and classes, it's time to act. It's not normal behaviour.
Lack of Work-Life Balance
Do you know how much a NEET/JEE aspirant studies per day? 10 hours? 15 hours? This can vary from person to person, but I have personally seen students studying 20-22 hours per day.
You will say that's okay. But how? Don't you have other things to do besides studying, like eating, bathing, relaxing, and sleeping?
- Over-scheduling: Students often overload themselves with classes and study sessions. As a result, they fall sick often and don't care about their health.
- Neglecting Hobbies: You might have known what I will say next. Hobbies and our personal interests get choked by this ridiculous education system of our country.
- Burnout Risks: Study load, avoiding self-care, and interests lead to burnout. You don't have to search it. You can try it yourself and comment on this blog about your experience of how mentally tired you have felt after neglecting your needs.
Mental Health Awareness
I don't need to argue with you about why your mental wellness matters. You can go and search about this topic and find tons of articles, research papers, and videos about mental health.
- Stigma Around Mental Health: I am laughing. How funny it is that our Indian society still stigmatises talking about mental health.
I am talking from my personal experience as I also go for counselling. A girl came with her mom to see the psychiatrist I always visit. My mom asked what was wrong with her, and her mom said that she just had a headache. Going to a psychiatrist just for a headache?
- Seeking Help: If you feel mentally drained, please don't ignore this. If you can't sleep, get up from the bed and try to seek help to relax your racing mind. If you feel disconnected, please visit communities for emotional support. Let's make a community ourselves.
- Support Systems: I know it's kind of tough as your parents and teachers don't understand you. Perhaps you are cutting your friends, but I encourage you to look for the people who understand you as no one else does. It's hard initially, but at least you will discover some great people or discover yourself.
Coping Strategies
Time management skills: It is one of the hardest things to manage your time when you are in school, college, preparing for NEET or JEE.
But you can tackle this problem with some simple steps.
- Time Management Skills: Firstly, prioritise the important tasks and complete them first when you get up in the morning. I call it "eat the frog", which means if I have to eat that dirty frog (doing the toughest tasks), I will eat it in the morning.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation: I am a huge fan of meditation and deep breathing.
If you want to study effectively, first let your mind calm down.
I will link some of my favourite yoga and meditation YouTube channels below.
- Community Engagement: Join us for fun and engaging social activities that bring our community together! Connect, share, and create memorable experiences with your neighbours. Don't miss out on the excitement!
Conclusion
In conclusion, we've explored the essential points of mental struggles of students who are preparing for NEET/JEE or are in college.
This can help you enhance your knowledge about your mental health and achieve your academic goals faster.
Remember, taking action is the key to progress! Whether it's setting clear objectives, embracing challenges, or seeking feedback, every step you take brings you closer to success. So, don’t wait any longer—dive in, apply what you've learned, and watch yourself grow! Let’s make things happen!
Let's take a step towards viewing ourselves as a flawed creature hustling for success, not a donkey going after a stupid competitive exam.
So, guys!!!
That's it for today!!!
Go take a deep breath!!! Relax and don't pressure much!!!
Yours beloved,
Farhat Bano
My favorite Yoga channel ->>> https://youtu.be/F3928Q1AFDw
My favorite Meditation channel ->>> https://youtu.be/-X51SK1WEoE
Comentários