Dreams Under Pressure: Why Students Are Struggling

Every year, thousands of students arrive in Kota, Rajasthan, with big dreams in their hearts — dreams of cracking IIT-JEE, NEET, and other competitive exams. Known as India’s "coaching capital", Kota has become a symbol of aspiration, ambition, and, sadly, growing mental distress.

The recent spotlight from the Supreme Court on student suicides in Kota once again reminds us of a painful truth — something is terribly wrong. In 2025 alone, 14 students have taken their own lives in this city. That’s not just a statistic. That’s 14 young, bright futures lost. The pressure is real. The competition is intense. But what's scarier is the silence — the silence around mental health.

Let’s break that silence.

Why Are Students in Kota Under So Much Pressure?

Kota is home to some of the country’s most reputed coaching institutes. Students, often as young as 15 or 16, live away from home for the first time in their lives, juggling long study hours, test pressures, and the constant fear of failure.

Here are a few reasons why the pressure becomes too much:

• Unrealistic Expectations: Many students come to Kota due to family pressure or societal expectations. Not all want to become doctors or engineers — but they are pushed into it.

• Cutthroat Competition: In a batch of 200 students, only a handful might make it to the top colleges. This constant comparison chips away at their confidence.

• Lack of Emotional Support: Living in PGs or hostels with minimal parental involvement often leaves students feeling lonely.

• No Break from Studies: Classes, tests, assignments, and revisions — seven days a week. There's hardly any room for fun, hobbies, or just doing nothing.

It’s Okay to Feel Overwhelmed

Dear student, if you are in Kota right now or preparing for an exam anywhere in India — please take a moment to breathe. You are not alone. Many students feel exactly how you are feeling: anxious, exhausted, and unsure of the future.

Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.

How to Deal with Pressure and Competition – Real, Practical Tips

Let’s talk about how you can take care of your mental health while chasing your goals.

1. Redefine Success

Success isn’t just about ranks and results. It’s about growth, effort, and becoming better each day. Even if you don’t crack a top exam, it’s not the end of the road. Many successful people in the world took a different path than the one they first imagined.

2. Speak Up

Talk to someone — a friend, a mentor, a sibling, or a counselor. Keeping everything bottled up only makes it worse. Venting helps. Sharing helps. Healing begins when you open up.

There are also helplines like:

Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health - 9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com

TISS iCall -  022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm)

Please don’t hesitate to reach out. These are trained professionals who want to help.

3. Take Breaks

You are not a machine. Your brain needs rest. Short breaks during study hours, watching something funny, or just stepping out for a walk can reset your mood and focus.

4. Create a Routine with Balance

Yes, study is a priority. But include 30 minutes of physical activity, proper meals, 7-8 hours of sleep, and a little time for hobbies. Even music, journaling, or drawing helps!

5. Avoid Toxic Comparisons

You are not competing with anyone else but yourself. Focus on how far you’ve come instead of how ahead others seem. Social media can be deceiving, nobody shares their struggles, only their highlights.

6. Know When to Pause or Quit

It’s okay to change direction. If something is draining you, it’s okay to stop and reevaluate. Switching goals or careers is not failure. Staying stuck in something that breaks your spirit is.

Parents and Teachers – You Matter Too

The role of parents and teachers is crucial. Instead of adding to the pressure, be the cushion that eases it.

• Talk regularly with your children/students. Ask how they feel, not just how they’re performing.

• Encourage them to take breaks and be kind to themselves.

• Remind them: Your love and respect are not conditional on their marks.

Let’s Build a Healthier Kota, Together

Kota needs more than just coaching institutes — it needs more counselors, emotional check-ins, open discussions on mental health, and real change in how we treat academic failure.

But change begins with us. Let’s create a culture where it’s okay to not be okay. Where students are supported not just in success, but especially in struggle.

Final Words

If you’re a student reading this, please know this: You are more than your marks. More than your results. You are enough.

And if you're someone who knows a student in Kota or anywhere dealing with stress — reach out. Sometimes a simple “How are you feeling today?” can save a life.

Let’s talk more. Let’s judge less. Let’s build a world where no student ever feels so hopeless that ending their life feels like the only option.