Why Indian Students are more stressed than ever?
A growing problem not only in India but all over the globe, students are more stressed than ever. In fact, India has one of the highest rate of suicides among people aged between 15 and 29. Although the reasons are myriad, but failure in examination, unemployment, and depression are some the reasons why people put their life at risk.
A common cause of concern is the pressure from parents to do well in the class XII board exams. There have been many incidents in the past where students have committed suicide during exams, and on the result day. But what can be so extreme that students decide to end their life?
The Psychologists suggest that students suffer from anxiety, and traumatic disorder relating to fear of examination. The fear factor is the reason why students suffer from anxiety, depression, and the following consequences. And the fear not only comes from the school, but also from parents, who go to extreme levels to push their children into getting better grades.
The best time of the life that students are supposed to enjoy and cherish, is the time they are pushed to extreme levels which can be overwhelming for many.
Let’s look at the main problems in our culture:
Indian Education System: Time and time again many complaints have been made against the Indian education system which is more inclined towards memorization and takes long systematic study hours. Leaving less time for recreational activities, and socialization which is an essential part of the development of a child.
The performance of a student’s 12th grade determine’s the choice of college or university they’ll get admission in. Students from science stream goes into further stress by giving entrance exams for different universities and colleges. And the competition is fierce.
Pressure from parents and school: Fear of failure to do well in studies is causing anxiety among students which has substantial negative effects on their academic, and social success. The self worth of student is determined by the academic success and grades, and not on the basis of individual qualities they already do possess. Parents try to get rid of cable connection, internet, computer, only so that their children could concentrate and get better grades.
In a recent survey, two-third (66%) students reported that their parents pressurize them for better academic performance, and the pressure from non-graduate parents was more compared to parents those were graduates and post graduates.
Everyday, 6.23 students commit suicide due to the peer pressure, their must be something wrong that we are not understanding.
The emphasis is so much so on the better grades, that students forget the fun element in learning. Anything can be made interesting if taught well, so it’s not only the students who under perform, teachers under perform too. Sadly, there’s no criteria to judge the grades of a teacher. More than 50% 12th students admitted of having more than 3 private tutors. Why are you paying schools such high tuition fees if eventually the students are going to study from private tutors?
How to help students get rid of stress?
Everyone learns differently, and students could develop their own plans on how to study for long hours effectively, and parents and teachers could help them develop their own learning methods.
With starting of boards examination, what every parents should know is. it’s just exams, not the end of the world. The success of someone lies in what they chose to do with their resources, and the actions they take, and not on the grades.
What are the alternatives for Indian students?
With limited colleges seats, and high number of students applying to get into the top universities and colleges, it could be difficult to get into the top college. The students who cannot get in can always study abroad in UK, US, Canada, or other countries who are more than ready to welcome international students.