How Indian Students Are Coping with Academic Burnout

In a country where education is often seen as the ultimate pathway to success, Indian students are increasingly facing an invisible but dangerous challenge — academic burnout.
Indian Students and Academic Burnout
How Indian Students Are Coping with Academic BurnoutThe Bridge Chronicle
Published on

While the image of the hardworking topper is still glorified, the mental toll of long study hours, relentless exams, and pressure to outperform is finally being acknowledged.

From school-going teens to competitive exam aspirants and college students, burnout is impacting motivation, mental health, and even physical well-being. The silver lining? Many students are now taking steps — small and significant — to reclaim their well-being.

Indian Students and Academic Burnout
‘I Was The Topper, But Still Jobless’: What This Viral DU Story Teaches Us About Real-World Readiness

What Is Academic Burnout?

Academic burnout is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged academic stress. It's more than just feeling tired before an exam — it includes:

  • Feeling mentally drained, even after a full night's sleep

  • Loss of interest in studies or extracurriculars

  • Decline in performance despite effort

  • Feelings of hopelessness or detachment from academic goals

  • Anxiety, irritability, or depression

It can also manifest physically through headaches, digestive issues, and insomnia.

Why Indian Students Are at Higher Risk

1. Cutthroat Competition

Entrance exams like JEE, NEET, UPSC, or even MBA CET create intense competition, where students prepare for years with minimal breaks or balance.

2. Parental and Societal Pressure

Academic success is still closely tied to family honor and future security in Indian households. This can make students feel like there's no room for failure.

3. Rigid Education Systems

The focus on rote learning, marks, and back-to-back tests leaves little room for creative expression or individual pacing.

Indian Students and Academic Burnout
Gen Z and Health Anxiety: Is Social Media to Blame?

4. Lack of Mental Health Resources

Despite rising awareness, most Indian schools and colleges lack in-house counselors, and students often face stigma when trying to seek help.

5. Pandemic Fallout

COVID-19 disrupted learning routines, isolated students, and increased screen time — all of which have added to the mental load.

How Students Are Coping — And What’s Helping

1. Peer Support and Study Groups

Many students are forming non-toxic study circles, either offline or on Discord, Telegram, or Reddit, where they motivate each other without pressure.

2. Therapy and Counseling

Apps like MindPeers, YourDOST, and Trijog offer access to affordable mental health support. Some universities are slowly adding counselors too.

Indian Students and Academic Burnout
Vape Is the New Cigarette: The Trend That’s Not as Cool as It Seems

3. Scheduled Downtime

Students are now learning the value of "doing nothing" — scheduling rest days, digital detox hours, and hobbies like journaling, art, or music.

4. Revisiting Goals

Some are reconsidering the traditional paths. Taking gap years, changing streams, or switching to non-engineering or non-medical careers is becoming more normalized.

5. Mindfulness Practices

Simple breathing exercises, meditation apps like Headspace, or just 10-minute nature walks have helped students feel more grounded.

How Schools and Colleges Can Do Better

  • Normalize mental health discussions in classrooms

  • Train teachers to identify burnout symptoms

  • Provide on-campus counselors and peer mentoring programs

  • Reconsider grading systems to reduce academic pressure

  • Encourage holistic development, not just academic ranking

Indian Students and Academic Burnout
4 Useful AI Tools That Can Boost Your Career in 2025

Academic burnout isn't just a personal issue — it's a systemic one. But young Indians are no longer suffering in silence. They're starting conversations, supporting each other, and challenging the traditional grind culture that’s taken a toll on their generation.

Help Us Create the Content You Love

Take Survey Now!

Enjoyed reading The Bridge Chronicle?
Your support motivates us to do better. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Whatsapp to stay updated with the latest stories.
You can also read on the go with our Android and iOS mobile app.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
The Bridge Chronicle
www.thebridgechronicle.com