In the quiet corners of Mumbai’s bustling cafés, amidst the clatter of keyboards and the rustle of textbooks, a familiar scene plays out: a student, shoulders tight, mind racing, eyes flicking anxiously between flashcards and their phone.

This is academic anxiety—an invisible pressure that is quietly reshaping the mental health of students across India.

What Is Academic Anxiety?

It’s more than nervousness before an exam. Academic anxiety is a psychological and physiological stress response triggered by academic demands. It manifests as difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, sleeplessness, physical symptoms like nausea, and often, an overwhelming fear of failure.

According to studies, up to 40% of students experience high levels of test anxiety, which impairs cognitive function and emotional well-being.

Aarav’s Story: A Real Look at the Pressure

Aarav is 17. He’s smart, driven, and preparing for his board exams. But despite his best efforts, he’s not sleeping well. He dreads school. He feels like he’s carrying a weight no one else sees—the fear of disappointing his family and failing to meet expectations.

This quiet pressure is not unique to Aarav. It’s playing out in thousands of homes, hidden behind achievements and polite smiles.

The Science Behind the Stress

When students perceive academic demands as overwhelming, the brain activates the fight-or-flight system. Cortisol floods the body, meant to help—but when the stress is chronic, it disrupts memory, focus, and emotional regulation.

Competitive environments, constant comparison, and an overemphasis on grades fuel this response daily.

What Can Students Do?

• Practice mindfulness: Breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and short