“Beta, tension lene ka nahi, dene ka!”—if only it were that easy, right?
From mugging up definitions to juggling expectations of parents, peers, and even that distant Sharma Aunty, Indian students today are under more pressure than a pressure cooker with a broken whistle. And the result? Anxiety and depression are no longer rare “foreign concepts.” They’re very much a reality, sitting quietly in classrooms and hostels across the country.
Let’s break it down—no complex jargon, just the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the (sometimes uncomfortable) truth.
1. The Syllabus of Stress
Between 8 a.m. classes and 12 a.m. panic attacks, students are carrying more weight on their backs than just their heavy bags. Boards, entrance exams, college cut-offs — it’s like every stage of life comes with a final boss level.
And when someone says, “You have it easy, enjoy your student life!” — they clearly haven’t seen today’s timetable or fee structure.
2. The Comparison Olympics
Indian students don’t compete in sports as much as they do in comparisons.
- Cousin scored 98%? “Arre, uska bhi toh dimaag hai, tumhara kya gaya?”
- Friend cracked IIT? “Toh usne kya alag kiya, tu bhi try karta!”
It’s exhausting. Constant comparison kills confidence and seeds self-doubt — a silent trigger for depression.
3. Fear of Failure (Aka: The Great Indian Nightmare)
In our culture, failing an exam feels worse than failing at life.
One bad result, and suddenly the whole colony knows. No wonder so many students feel cornered — where one mistake equals a character certificate of “useless.”
Truth: Failure is feedback, not a final destination.
4. Social Media & The Filtered Life
While you’re figuring out what to do with your life, Instagram is showing you 22-year-olds buying Mercedes and launching startups. Thanks, algorithm — that’s just what we needed for our self-esteem!
What we forget? Everyone posts their highlight reel. Nobody uploads their anxiety, therapy bills, or “cried for 3 hours” moments.
5. Silence is Louder Than Screams
Mental health isn’t always visible. Some students look perfectly fine — smiling, attending classes, participating in fests — but inside, they’re spiraling. And when they try to speak up?
“Arey, it’s just a phase.”
“Go for a walk, you’ll feel better.”
“Focus on studies, everything will be okay.”
Spoiler alert: It doesn’t work that way.
So, What Can Be Done? (Without Becoming Baba Ramdev)
Here are a few grounded, simple steps that can actually help:
- Talk it out: With friends, a counselor, or someone who won’t judge.
- Limit screen time: Especially doom-scrolling during exam season.
- Create routines: Sleep, study, chill — balance is everything.
- Exercise, not Excel: A little walk > 50 open tabs of pending assignments.
- Seek professional help: Therapy is not a luxury, it’s a necessity for many. And it’s not just “for mad people.”
“It’s okay if your report card doesn’t shine — your mental health should.”
🧭 Final Thoughts
We expect our students to be toppers, coders, dancers, and future CEOs — all while ignoring the mental weight they carry. Maybe it’s time we change that.
Let’s make space for conversations, not just competitions.
Because behind every “I’m fine” is a student silently hoping someone notices they’re not.
