Opinion | The Silent Burden: Academic Pressure and Students

In the Kashmir valley due to decades of instability and uncertainty, academic success has often been regarded as a saviour for families against economic hardships and finite opportunities.

When Expectations Becomes pressure –

Parents naturally out of love and care want the best for their children. However, in many cases, expectations exceed a child’s emotional capacity. Marks are discussed not as feedback, but as verdicts. Comparisons with other students becomes common. Due to this constant comparison culture, academic pressure has become a significant concern in today’s competitive educational environment and affecting young students at all levels.

The Psychological Cost –

The Mental health professionals in the Kashmir Valley have repeatedly highlighted a rise in stress-related symptoms among the students. The societal stigma around discussing mental health prevents students from opening up about their mental well-being, leaving students to struggle silently. Academic pressure can be helpful in encouraging good performance, but excessive academic pressure often takes a toll on the student’s mental health.

Beyond the Home: Society’s Role –

This academic pressure is not confined to parents only. Society plays an equally influential role. Children are often asked about their percentage, stream choices, and career plans in the neighborhood gatherings, wedding ceremonies and even during festivals. Academic performance becomes a public matter. Society and peers influence the life of students significantly. The first and foremost negative impact of social pressure on student’s minds is low self-confidence or self-esteem. Social pressure results in depression and increased anxiety levels among the students which eventually in many cases leads to smoking and drug abuse among the vulnerable students.

Redefining Success –

The conversation must shift from marks to mental well-being. Examinations are important, but they are not the sole determinants of a child’s future. In our education system, success is often defined by test scores, grades and ability to memorize information. We must shift the focus from grade-driven metrics to personal growth, emphasizing skills like critical thinking, resilience, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.

A Collective Responsibility –

Reducing academic pressure does not mean lowering standards. It means understanding that a child’s self-worth should not be based on the marks sheet. Our system must normalise failures as part of the growing process. Schools need to make mental health support available for students, through counselling, support groups and programs that promote helpful coping strategies and self-care.
The students of today lays the foundation stone of future society. It’s well known that the youth of the valley carry huge potential. To nurture such potential, society must replace fear with encouragement and comparison with compassion.

Email – Akgroupkashmir@gmail.com