Swimming Against the Current

  •   Sat, Jan 10 2026
  •   By Dr Sr Judy Lewis

January 10, 2026

Swimming against the current is hard, strenuous, exhausting and can even be debilitating. For some children learning and academics become so burdensome that they begin to feel all the time they are swimming against the current. But blessed are the children for whom education is a pleasure, a relaxing and creative engagement. They thirst for knowledge, seek new inquiries and experience fun in raising new questions. In both the cases the role of parents cannot be ignored. Some parents bring up their children spending time with them, answering their questions, encouraging them to inquire, seek and find. Other parents never bother what their children think, inquire and seek. Hardly they sit with their school going children and be with them in their struggles. For these education becomes an experience of swimming against the current.  

The Reality of Academic Stress

The children who experience academics as a burden invariably face stress. When assignments, tests, and deadlines pile up, it can become overwhelming, leaving little time to breathe. Students often feel pressure to perform well not just for themselves, but also to meet the expectations of their parents and teachers which can make them afraid of failing or receiving low grades. Sometimes, parents even threaten their children by saying things like, “If you don’t get good grades, you won’t get into a good college.” Comparing themselves to others can make the stress even worse. On top of that, trying to balance school, extracurricular activities, and personal time is exhausting, and worrying about the future adds even more pressure, especially as exams approach.

Beware of Mental Health

When academic pressure becomes excessive or prolonged, it can seriously affect a young person’s mental health. Stress and anxiety are among the most common emotional responses. Students may constantly worry about grades, exams, or disappointing teachers and parents. This anxiety can interfere with concentration, memory, and decision-making, making it even harder to perform well academically.

Academic pressure also affects emotional well-being. Students may experience frustration, irritability, and feelings of helplessness, especially when they feel unable to meet expectations despite putting in their best effort. Over time, continuous stress can reduce motivation and interest in learning. Even students who once enjoyed studying may begin to feel disengaged, emotionally drained, or indifferent toward schoolwork.

Sleep problems are another frequent consequence of academic stress. Many students, particularly during exam time, stay up late sometimes until 2 a.m. trying to revise everything. This disrupts healthy sleep patterns, which in turn affects mood, energy levels, and focus, creating a vicious cycle that amplifies stress.

In practical terms, I’ve observed that students often try to “catch up” by pulling all-nighters or skipping meals, thinking it will improve performance, but these habits often backfire. Poor sleep and irregular routines make it harder to concentrate the next day, leading to even more stress and anxiety. Over time, ongoing academic pressure can also lower self-esteem and confidence, making students doubt their abilities, feel discouraged, and question their future prospects.

Managing academic pressure requires balancing study with rest, exercise, and relaxation. Practical strategies like creating realistic study schedules, taking short breaks, and seeking support from teachers, parents, or friends can help prevent stress from becoming overwhelming.

Wisdom of Equilibrium

Maintaining balance is essential for handling school pressure without harming your mental health. Learning should help you grow, not make you feel stressed or afraid of making mistakes. Taking care of both your body and mind is just as important as achieving your academic goals. Seeking guidance from a psychologist for counselling can help you build confidence and better prepare for exams.

Support from family, friends, and teachers can make a big difference. Talking openly about stress and challenges helps you feel understood and less alone. Remember, asking for help is perfectly okay and it can make difficult times much easier to manage.

Time Management Strategies

Effective time management can significantly reduce academic stress. Creating a structured study schedule helps organize tasks and manage workload efficiently. Breaking large assignments into smaller steps and setting realistic goals makes work more manageable and keeps motivation high. Prioritizing important tasks ensures deadlines are met without unnecessary pressure.

Regular breaks during study sessions refresh the mind and improve focus, while time for physical activity, hobbies and relaxation support overall well-being. Maintaining healthy habits such as proper sleep, balanced meals, and leisure—enhances a student’s ability to handle academic demands.

Forming habits that shape the Future

Academic pressure is a normal part of student life, but it should never compromise mental health. Recognizing the sources and effects of stress is the first step in managing it effectively. By practicing time management, maintaining balance, and seeking support from counsellors when needed, students can achieve success while protecting their emotional wellbeing. A supportive environment that values effort, growth, and mental health helps students thrive both in and beyond the classroom. Slowly their attitude towards academics and acquisition of knowledge transforms into inquisitive, creative and bold engagement that forms their lives and shapes their future.

 

 

 
By Dr Sr Judy Lewis
Dr Judy Lewis is a clinical psychologist at Sampoorna Counselling Centre, Mangaluru -575001. Cell: 919535309187.
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Comment on this article

  • Rita, Germany

    Sat, Jan 10 2026

    Dear Sr,sure ,for some children as you say studies are a big strain Because many times their parents are not educated and cant help ,need a extra tution etc.Some are from working class people who dont even have money for it.When a child is from well to do family have facility to everything but not time?In India children have to start to learn very early ,even I heard when admitting in KG,must give a test if child knows abcd ?Thank God here small children need not give test ,even free from going to KG.One can admit to school at 6 or at 7 years age,because they think till then their mind is grown up to pick up the studies .Till then they can be only children ,play or bring their time by learn in KG.Thank you for your writings .


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