The Night Before the Board Exam – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
From the book – Chapter 29: Workplace and Academic Stress
The Night Before the Board Exam
Ishaan, sixteen, in Kota, had been studying fourteen hours a day for months. His parents had sold a plot of land for his coaching fees. A month before the board exams, his marks fell and he began to say that he was a waste. He skipped meals, slept little and stopped speaking to friends.
In the mock test his mind went blank and his hands shook. He told his mother he felt sick and could not breathe. She told him to push through, "just a few more weeks."
What this story explains
This story shows that exam stress can help, but exam despair with hopelessness is different and needs early help. A mark sheet is not a diagnosis of a person.
How to recognise it
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A sudden fall in marks, absences, withdrawal and big mood changes.
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Blanking out or physical panic during tests.
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Poor sleep, poor appetite and constant tiredness.
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Talk of being a failure or a waste, or of hopelessness.
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Any wish to disappear or to die is an emergency sign.
What to do
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Notice the signs early: grades, sleep, mood, hopeless talk.
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Reduce pressure; reset expectations as a family.
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Protect sleep, food, movement and breaks.
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Practise under exam-like conditions and teach a calm breathing routine.
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Meet a school counsellor and a doctor if anxiety or low mood persists.
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If there is talk of self-harm or suicide, stay with him and contact the local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital.
Do and don’t
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Say your child matters more than marks. | Do not compare with cousins or toppers. |
| Keep sleep and meals regular. | Do not say "just push through". |
| Plan rest days. | Do not link love to results. |
| Watch for hopeless words. | Do not ignore talk of wanting to disappear. |
| Seek help early. | Do not let him study through the night. |
Read the full chapter – Chapter 29: Workplace and Academic Stress
Stories from real life
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More on this topic: Stress – causes, symptoms and how to reduce stress at work and in exams
More questions
- The Inbox That Never Ends – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- The Boss Who Humiliated – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- The Day the Letter Came – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- The Daughter Who Carried Everyone – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- What can we learn from the story “The Third Sunday”?
- Understanding academic pressure – work and exam stress
- Understanding the body at a desk – work and exam stress
- Understanding workplace mental health
- What to do that is not a slogan?
- Understanding common work-related problems
- How to reduce stress – healthy ways that work
- What is burnout and how do you recover?