Preparing for competitive exams is never easy. It takes up a lot of your time and energy, and even then, you can’t be sure of the results. Clearing exams like NEET, JEE, NET, UPSC, CAT, and others is a dream for so many of us. This journey is full of excitement, hope, and dreams. But it also comes with challenges. As an aspirant, you might often be dealing with mental health crises due to all the pressure to succeed and much more! Let’s dive into these common challenges and explore ways to manage them effectively.
Common Challenges Faced by Aspirants
- High Expectations and Pressure
For some of you who are preparing for your dream medical college entrance exam. You might experience intense pressure. Your parents have high hopes, and you feel the weight of their expectations along with your own. When you sit down to study, you might find yourself suppressing recurring negative thoughts. All of this internalized pressure can lead to anxiety and a fear of failure. You might start to think that anything less than perfect is unacceptable, which can create a constant sense of stress which could even lead to a breakdown.
- Competitive Environment
The competitive nature of these exams can cause an intolerable amount of stress. The environment is highly competitive, and every peer seems like a rival. This can make it hard to maintain a healthy perspective and can lead to feelings of isolation where each person is to fend for their own self. The pressure to outperform others can be overwhelming. It could also become hard to trust those around you. How is one supposed to thrive in such an environment?
- Uncertainty and Fear of the Future
One of the biggest setbacks in these exams is that one is always unsure about their future despite their hard work. The uncertainty of not knowing whether their efforts will pay off can be distressing. This fear of the unknown can cause significant stress and mental fatigue. One might even resort to feeling regret for “wasting” their time on these exams.
- Time Management Issues
Places like Kota, Rajender Nagar and others where you’ll see a swamp of students trying to juggle between coaching classes, and having a personal life, it’s safe to say that they might be stretched too thin causing them distress and plenty of mental health issues. Balancing study time with personal time can be challenging, often leading to burnout. The constant struggle to manage time effectively is very prevalent and very valid. It is HARD.
- Distractions
Distractions are a huge hurdle for NEET, JEE, and other aspirants. Social media constantly lures you in, making it hard to stay focused. Social interruptions, like friends dropping by unannounced, are tough to say no to, and substance use, which is also a very real issue among many aspirants, as the pressure of real life makes it tempting to seek a quick escape. It’s easy to get hooked, which can severely impact focus and your ability to stay committed. Perhaps it can seriously disturb your mental health.
Strategies to Maintain Mental Health
- Set Realistic Goals and Expectations
Example: If you’re preparing for an important exam, break down your study material into manageable chunks. Instead of aiming for 10 hours of study every day, start with 4-5 focused hours and gradually increase.
Setting realistic goals can help reduce the pressure you put on yourself. Understand that it’s okay not to be perfect. Celebrate small achievements and progress instead of only focusing on the end goal.
- Build a Support System
Example: Join a study group with friends who share similar goals. This way, you can support each other and share resources.
Having a strong support system is crucial. Talk to your family, friends, or mentors about your struggles and achievements. They can provide emotional support, advice, and motivation. Sometimes, just knowing that someone understands and believes in you can make a huge difference.
- Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Example: Allocate 15-20 minutes each day for meditation or deep breathing exercises. Apps like Headspace or Calm can guide you through relaxation techniques.
Mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help reduce stress and anxiety. These techniques can help you stay present, manage negative thoughts, and improve overall mental well-being.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Example: Make a schedule that includes time for physical activity, healthy meals, and adequate sleep. Regular exercise, even a 30-minute walk, can boost your mood and energy levels.
A healthy lifestyle is essential for mental and physical well-being. Ensure you’re eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep, and staying physically active. Avoid excessive caffeine or junk food, as these can negatively impact your mood and energy.
- Stay Organized and Plan Ahead
Example: Use planners, apps, or simple to-do lists to organize your tasks and study schedules. Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones.
Staying organized can help reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. Plan your study schedule, prioritize tasks, and take regular breaks to avoid burnout. Being organized can also give you a sense of control over your workload.
- Develop a Growth Mindset
Example: Instead of thinking, “I’m not good at math,” try rephrasing it to, “I can improve my math skills with practice.”
Adopting a growth mindset means believing that abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort and persistence. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. This mindset can reduce the fear of failure and increase resilience. And NO it wont happen overnight, but if you stay persistent in your attempt to observe and catch a self degrading thought, and change it into something that gives you hope and makes you believe in yourself, the difference will improve your life significantly.
- Balance Work and Play
Example: Schedule regular breaks and leisure activities, like watching a movie, reading a book, or spending time with friends.
It’s important to have a balance between work and relaxation. Taking breaks and engaging in activities you enjoy can help recharge your mind and body. Remember that taking time off isn’t a waste but a necessary part of maintaining productivity and well-being.
- Limit Social Media and Digital Distractions
Example: Set specific times for checking social media or use apps that limit screen time.
While social media can be a great way to stay connected, it can also be a source of distraction and stress. Limit your time on social media and avoid comparing your progress with others. Focus on your own journey and achievements.
- Stay Positive and Practice Self-Compassion
Example: Keep a journal to write down positive affirmations and reflect on your achievements, no matter how small.
Maintaining a positive outlook can significantly impact your mental health. Practice self-compassion by being kind to yourself, especially during setbacks. Remember that it’s okay to make mistakes and that every step, even the small ones, brings you closer to your goals.
How Counseling Can Help
Counseling can be a valuable resource for aspirants facing mental health challenges. Here’s how it can make a difference:
- Professional Guidance and Support
Professional counselors provide guidance and support based on their expertise. They can help you, the aspirant to navigate academic pressures and personal challenges, offering tools and techniques to manage stress and anxiety effectively.
- Emotional Outlet
Talking to a counselor about your fears and anxieties can provide relief and help you gain a clearer perspective. Sometimes, simply talking about your worries can lighten the mental load. Counselors offer a safe, non-judgmental space for you to express your feelings and thoughts, which can be incredibly therapeutic.
- Building Resilience
A counselor can teach you coping mechanisms and resilience-building exercises to handle setbacks and failures more effectively. They can help you develop resilience, the ability to bounce back from challenges and setbacks. This can be especially useful in a highly competitive and pressure-filled environment.
- Improving Self-Awareness and Personal Growth
Counseling can help you understand yourself better, identify your strengths and areas for improvement, and set realistic, achievable goals which will only add to your ability to thrive as an aspirant. This self-awareness can lead to personal growth and improved academic performance.
Therefore, being an aspirant is undoubtedly challenging, but with the right strategies, you can manage these challenges effectively. By setting realistic goals, building a support system, practicing mindfulness, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying organized, developing a growth mindset, balancing work and play, limiting digital distractions, and staying positive, you can take care of your mental health while pursuing your dreams.
Just know that the journey is just as important as the destination. Taking care of your mental health will not only help you achieve your goals but also ensure that you enjoy the process and grow as an aspirant AND as an individual.
If you’re an Indian student between the ages of 18-24, studying a UG or PG degree in India, please feel free to opt for our discounted rates for counselling & therapy by sending an email to Hello@TherapyWithShaurya.com .
