(Dibyansh Shah, X ‘G’)
From the moment we open a textbook in high school to the day we walk into a university campus, life starts to feel like living inside a pressure cooker. The heat builds up little by little. Expectations, deadlines, responsibilities …. and before we know it, the steam’s already rising. A student’s life really is that constant mix of pressure and chaos, all simmering under the same lid of daily life. You've got exams, after-school activities, sports, health, friendships, and everything else all cooking under that lid of daily life.
It starts early. For many students, the pressure isn’t always forced but it’s suggested. Parents, teachers, and society gently nudge or shall we say push us toward excellence. “Get good grades.”, “Win that scholarship.”, “Be the wisest one.”,they say.These aren’t demands, but they settle deep in our minds like seeds. And as we grow, so do those expectations.
Even when no one says it out loud, there’s an unspoken belief that we should be at the top of our class. That we should stand out. That we should be seen. And when we’re not, it feels like we’ve failed…not just ourselves, but everyone who believed in us.
Then come the SATs, the assignments, the exams. Each one is a brick in the wall of academic pressure. To win a scholarship, you need top marks. To get top marks, you need to ace your subjects. Oh, how can I forget our lovely ECAs? We are expected to be good at our extra curricular activities too! And to ace everything you need time—lots of it. People might say it’s a part of character development, and yeah, I don’t disagree at all.
But time is a luxury for students. Between school hours and homework, there’s barely any room to breathe. And yet, we’re expected to do more.
Extracurricular activities (ECAs) are no longer optional. They’re essential. Sports, music, debate, volunteering, whatsoever! Each one adds a line to your resume or application and a layer to your stress. You’re not just a student anymore; you’re a performer, a leader, a team player.
Outside school, there’s socializing. Making friends, maintaining relationships and health, fitting into society. These aren’t just emotional needs,they’re survival skills. But carving out time for a social life often means sacrificing something.May it be sleep, hobbies, or even mental health.
For many families, university is a financial mountain. Parents stretch their budgets, hoping their child will earn a scholarship and ease the burden. And students feel that weight. It’s not just about grades,it’s about helping your family. About proving that their sacrifices were worth it.
All this pressure feels never ending until it actually ends.Students begin to define themselves by their achievements. Therefore, a bad grade isn’t just a setback; it’s a personal failure. And in that mindset, burnout isn’t a possibility, it’s inevitable.
Making time for yourself becomes a luxury. Enjoying life feels selfish. And slowly, the pressure cooker tightens its grip. And yet again I’m or shall I say ‘We’ are left on the tough spot, which apparently is my character development. Frustration, is it? I don’t really know to be honest