You know that sinking feeling—your exams are a few weeks away, the syllabus feels endless, and your brain? Completely fried. You're not alone. Whether you’re a Class 10 student preparing for boards or someone dealing with back-to-back school assessments, exam stress is real. And if it’s not managed well, it can quietly snowball into burnout.
But here’s the thing: stress isn’t always the enemy. A little bit of pressure can push you to focus. The real trouble begins when stress takes over your sleep, appetite, motivation—or worse, your confidence. So how do you keep things under control?
1. Make a Plan That Works for You
Every topper’s timetable on YouTube isn’t automatically the right one for you. Instead of copying someone else’s 12-hour schedule, build a routine around your energy levels. Study in focused slots—like 45 minutes on, 10 minutes off. Leave time for revision, not just first-time reading.
Break your syllabus into smaller targets for the week. And yes, actually write them down. Checking off even one topic gives your brain a sense of progress—and that alone eases exam stress.
2. Don’t Ignore Sleep (Seriously)
This one gets ignored the most. But pulling all-nighters doesn’t make you a warrior; it just makes your memory foggy. Research shows that students who sleep 7–8 hours perform better on exams than those who cram late into the night.
Your brain needs downtime to absorb and organise what you’ve studied. Think of sleep as part of your preparation, not time away from it.
3. Talk About What You're Feeling
In Indian households, exam stress can sometimes feel like a taboo. We’re told to “just concentrate” or “study harder.” But ignoring emotions doesn’t make them go away. If you're overwhelmed, talk to someone—your parents, a teacher, a friend, even a school counsellor.
4. Move Your Body to Rest Your Mind
This might sound strange when you’re buried in books—but moving your body helps your mind. A walk, stretching, even 15 minutes of dancing to your favourite song can reset your brain. It lowers cortisol (your stress hormone) and boosts focus.
5. Watch the Self-Talk
Ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m going to fail”, or “I’m not smart enough”? That inner dialogue shapes your mindset. Swap it out. Say instead: “I don’t know this yet—but I can learn it.” Be your own coach, not your worst critic.
Exam stress is common, but burnout doesn’t have to be. You don’t have to choose between performing well and feeling well—you can have both, if you take care of your mind along the way.
At the end of the day, exams are important—but they’re not the full story of who you are. Breathe. You've got this.
