When School Feels Like a Heavy Backpack You Can’t Take Off
Every morning, my alarm buzzes at 5:30 a.m., and my body feels like it’s made of lead. By 6:15, I’m already in my school uniform, gulping down chai while skimming through yesterday’s chemistry notes. The school bus honks outside, and my chest tightens. Another day begins at a place that’s supposed to “shape my future” but lately feels more like a slow-motion suffocation. If you’re reading this, maybe you’ve felt it too—the soul-crushing grind of an Indian school system that demands everything and gives back… well, what does it give back?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the classroom: our schools often prioritize rote learning over curiosity, conformity over creativity, and exam rankings over actual growth. For many students, this isn’t just “stressful”—it’s a daily erosion of joy.
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The Never-Ending Race for Perfection
My school, like countless others across India, operates on a simple formula: More is better. More homework, more tests, more tuition classes, more “enrichment programs” that leave no room to breathe. The timetable isn’t just a schedule—it’s a prison. Physics at 8 a.m., math revision during lunch, chemistry tuition after school, and three hours of homework before bed. Weekends? Reserved for mock tests and project submissions.
But here’s the kicker: even when you try your hardest, it never feels enough. Teachers compare students openly, parents obsess over report cards, and classmates secretly compete to see who’s studying past midnight. The pressure to crack JEE or NEET starts as early as Class 9, turning classrooms into boot camps. You’re not a person anymore; you’re a score, a rank, a trophy for the school’s marketing brochure.
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The Silence Around Mental Exhaustion
What hurts most isn’t the workload itself—it’s the loneliness. Nobody talks about how draining this system is because “everyone goes through it.” When I told my parents I felt empty, they said, “Beta, focus on your studies now. You’ll enjoy life later.” But what if “later” never comes?
Schools rarely acknowledge mental health. Counselors, if they exist at all, are overburdened or unapproachable. Teachers dismiss burnout as “laziness.” Meanwhile, social media bombards us with filtered success stories: the topper who aced JEE, the “ideal student” who balances school and hobbies effortlessly. It’s easy to feel broken in comparison.
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Small Acts of Rebellion (That Won’t Get You Detention)
Surviving this system isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about carving out tiny pockets of freedom. Here’s what’s helped me—and might help you:
1. Redefine “Productivity”: Studying for 10 hours straight isn’t sustainable. Try the Pomodoro Technique—25 minutes of focus, 5 minutes of rest. Use those breaks to dance to a favorite song, doodle, or stare at the sky.
2. Find Your People: Connect with classmates who get it. Share frustrations during lunch or start a study group where you actually talk about life, not just equations.
3. Steal Moments for Yourself: Sneak a novel into your backpack. Write a paragraph about how you feel. Doodle in the margins of your notebook. These small acts remind you: I’m more than my grades.
4. Talk Back (Politely): When teachers assign unrealistic deadlines, ask for extensions. Explain that you’re doing your best. Most educators aren’t monsters—they’re just stuck in the same system.
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The “Life” Beyond Textbooks
One afternoon, I skipped tuition to visit a nearby park. For two hours, I didn’t think about marks or ranks. I watched stray puppies play, bought a rainbow popsicle, and called a friend just to laugh. That day didn’t ruin my future—it saved my present.
Schools rarely teach this, but rest is not weakness. Hobbies aren’t distractions. Your worth isn’t tied to your percentage. It’s okay to hate trigonometry. It’s okay to daydream in history class. It’s okay to feel trapped.
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A Letter to My Younger Self (And to You)
Dear Student,
I see you counting down the days until summer break, staring at textbooks through tired eyes. I know you’re trying so hard to meet everyone’s expectations that you’ve forgotten your own.
This system is flawed, but you’re not. You’re not “ungrateful” for feeling drained. You’re human. Your dreams matter—even the ones that don’t fit on a mark sheet.
Breathe.
Steal joy where you can.
Ask for help when you need it.
And remember: this chapter won’t last forever.
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Our schools might feel soul-crushing now, but they don’t get to define our entire story. Surviving this grind isn’t about becoming the “perfect student”—it’s about protecting the spark that makes you you. So keep that spark alive, even if it means hiding it in your pocket for now. One day, you’ll step into a world far bigger than these classroom walls, and you’ll want it to still be burning.
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