Delhi University has completed three regular rounds of undergraduate admissions, but 13,433 UG seats are still vacant. According to the university’s latest spot-round vacancy list, the unfilled seats are spread across 1,160 college-course combinations
“We have a history of renowned political leaders; we hail from the lands of intellect. This university has nurtured multiple leaders, including Gulzarilal Nanda, Madan Lal Khurana, Mahadevi Varma, and many Chief Justices,” 23-year-old Priyanshu Vidrohi said
In Bihar’s Gaya district lies Patwa Toli, a village popularly known as the “Village of IITians." What makes it remarkable is the presence of IIT-educated engineers in almost every household. Every year, more than a dozen students from the village qualify for the IIT-JEE examinations
Jammu-born entrepreneur Onkar Singh Batra has added another remarkable achievement to an already extraordinary journey. From creating a website at the age of seven to developing a satellite at 16, Batra has spent much of his childhood exploring technology, entrepreneurship, and space
According to NITI Aayog’s Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047 report, only 8.25 per cent of graduates were able to secure jobs matching their qualifications in one year. This means that more than 91 per cent of graduates were either unemployed or working in jobs below their educational
I have passed Class 12 (PCMB) with a state rank of 10 and have taken NEET 2026 and KCET. I want to pursue B.Sc. Chemistry but people say I should not do so because I have such good marks. I am also considering BDS or a B.Sc. Paramedical course
Me: Lalitha, you’ve been colouring all this time. Do you enjoy colouring? This was an informal conversation I had with two young British-Indian children — a seven-year-old boy and his four-year-old sister, Lalitha — during a train journey from Coimbatore to Chennai.Me: Lalitha
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been grounded in controversy since the NEET UG paper leak row. The central agency, which was envisaged in November 2017 as a single agency for conducting all higher education entrance exams, is under scanner after cancellation of UGC NET exam for three subjects
How parents can recognise early signs of mental stress in students
How parents can recognise early signs of mental stress in students?
How parents can recognise early signs of mental stress in students?
Parents should be alert to irritability, emotional withdrawal, loss of enthusiasm for activities, changes in sleeping eating habits, or growing fear of failure
Published on: May 19, 2026 3:57 PM IST By HT Education Desk Share via Copy link As board and entrance examination results are announced across the country, many homes will experience a mixture of pride, relief, disappointment, anxiety, and uncertainty. For young people, however, these moments often feel far bigger than adults realise. Behind every marksheet is a child trying to understand their place in the world and whether they are measuring up to the expectations around them. How parents can recognise early signs of mental stress in students? Having worked with children and teenagers for many years in both boarding and day school environments, I have seen how academic pressure can quietly affect even the most capable students. Many young people carry emotional burdens that adults do not immediately notice. They become very good at hiding anxiety, masking stress, and continuing to perform because they fear disappointing parents, teachers, or even themselves. During Mental Health Awareness Month, it is worth reflecting on a simple but important truth: emotional wellbeing and academic achievement are not separate issues. In reality, they are deeply connected. Stress in children rarely appears suddenly. More often, it develops gradually through changes in behaviour, mood, confidence, or routine. Parents should be alert to increased irritability, emotional withdrawal, loss of enthusiasm for activities once enjoyed, changes in sleeping or eating habits, or a growing fear of failure. Some students become unusually perfectionist, while others begin to lose motivation altogether. Physical symptoms can also appear. Frequent headaches, stomach aches, tiredness, or unexplained illnesses are often signs that emotional pressure is beginning to affect the body as well as the mind. One of the challenges for parents is that high-achieving children are often the most skilled at concealing stress. A student may continue producing excellent grades while privately struggling with anxiety or exhaustion. Silence itself can sometimes be the warning sign. Parents often ask why children do not simply speak openly when they are struggling. The reality is more complicated than many adults appreciate. Young people frequently worry about disappointing their parents or appearing weak. Some fear they will not be understood, while others believe their problems are insignificant compared to the expectations placed upon them. In highly competitive environments, many students begin to connect their entire sense of worth to academic performance. Modern education has undoubtedly created tremendous opportunities, but it has also intensified pressure. Social media, rankings, university expectations, and constant comparison can create the impression that success is everything and failure is unacceptable. Even well-intentioned encouragement from adults can sometimes add to that pressure if children begin to feel that love, approval, or pride depend upon results. There is nothing wrong with ambition. High standards matter. Discipline matters. Aspiration matters. Young people should absolutely be encouraged to work hard and aim high. However, children also need to know that they are valued beyond their grades. A child who believes they are respected and loved regardless of outcomes is far more likely to develop resilience, confidence, and long-term success. The future will demand far more than examination results alone. Young people will need emotional strength, adaptability, communication skills, integrity, and the ability to recover from setbacks. These qualities are not developed through pressure alone. They are developed through secure relationships, healthy boundaries, encouragement, and trust. If parents notice signs of emotional strain, the most important response is calm engagement rather than immediate correction. Children need opportunities to speak honestly without fear of judgement. Often, the best conversations happen indirectly during a car journey, a walk, or quiet moments at home rather than in formal discussions focused entirely on performance. Can AI transform classrooms in rural India and improve outcomes? Listening is usually more powerful than lecturing. Parents do not always need immediate solutions. Sometimes a child simply needs to feel heard. Questions such as “What has been feeling difficult recently?” are often more helpful than “Why are your grades dropping?” Reassurance also matters. Young people need to hear that stress and anxiety are normal human experiences and that asking for support is a sign of maturity, not weakness. Families also play an enormous role in shaping how children understand success and failure. Praising effort, perseverance, and improvement rather than only outcomes helps children build healthier attitudes towards achievement. Avoiding comparisons with siblings or classmates is equally important. Comparison rarely motivates in the long term; more often, it damages confidence and creates resentment or insecurity. Inside CBSE’s Curriculum Shift: Preparing students for evolving job roles Parents should also be willing to talk honestly about setbacks in their own lives. Children benefit enormously from hearing that successful adults have also experienced failure, disappointment, and uncertainty. Resilience is not built through avoiding difficulty. It is built through learning how to recover from it. At its heart, education should not simply be about producing high-performing students. It should be about helping young people become balanced, resilient, thoughtful, and emotionally secure adults. Examination results matter, but they should never define a child’s worth or determine the level of love and support they receive. Is baby talk bad? Why ‘parentese’ actually helps babies learn language Children may forget individual grades over time, but they rarely forget how adults made them feel during moments of pressure or disappointment. In the end, the greatest gift parents can offer is not perfection or constant success, but the security of knowing that they are valued, supported, and understood regardless of the outcome. (This article is written by Peter Willett, Deputy Head - Pastoral, Shrewsbury International School India) ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT Education Desk For over a decade, the Hindustan Times Digital Streams – Education Desk has been a trusted source for accurate, in-depth, and timely news on education and careers. We bring the latest updates on board exams, competitive exams, results, employment news, study abroad, scholarships, and school and college admissions, helping students, job seekers, and educators make informed decisions. Our Coverage Areas 1. Board Exams & Results: Comprehensive reporting on CBSE, CISCE, and state board exams (UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and others), including schedules, admit cards, answer keys, results, and career opportunities. 2. Competitive Exams: Insights into major exams like UPSC, JEE, NEET, GATE, CAT, SAT, and state and central government services. Exam Results: Timely updates on UPSC, SSC, SBI, IBPS, NTA, IIMs, and other competitive exam results. 3. Employment News: Notifications on government and private sector jobs, vacancies, eligibility, application processes, and results. 4. Study Abroad: Information on top universities, courses, tuition fees, scholarships, visa regulations, and career prospects for international students. Features & Analysis: Opinion pieces, expert explainers, deep-dive reports, and interviews with key figures in education. 5. Breaking Education News: Real-time updates on major policy changes, institutional reforms, and trends shaping the education sector. 6. With a commitment to factual, unbiased journalism, HT Digital’s Education Desk has seen continuous growth in readership, offering credible and engaging content tailored for students, parents, and professionals. Meet the Team 1. Nilesh Mathur – News Editor A journalist with 24 years of experience, including 18+ years at Hindustan Times, Nilesh leads editorial planning, ensures factual accuracy, and enhances audience engagement through strategic content. 2. Papri Chanda – Deputy Chief Content Producer With over a decade of experience in education journalism, Papri specializes in exam-related content, study abroad insights, and education trends. She also explores new opportunities in education that benefit students. 3. Bishal – Senior Content Producer Active in the education and jobs sector since 2019, Bishal focuses on tracking developments, analyzing trends, and crafting informative content for students and job aspirants. 4. Gaurav Sarma – Deputy Chief Content Producer A multimedia journalist with 9+ years of experience, Gaurav is skilled in research-based storytelling, feature writing, and reporting on competitive exams, online courses, and education trends. At Hindustan Times Digital Streams – Education Desk, we strive to be the go-to platform for students and professionals navigating the dynamic world of education and careers.Read More Education Home/Education/Features/How Parents Can Recognise Early Signs Of Mental Stress In Students? See Less Home/Education/Features/How Parents Can Recognise Early Signs Of Mental Stress In Students?As board and entrance examination results are announced across the country, many homes will experience a mixture of pride, relief, disappointment, anxiety, and uncertainty. For young people, however, these moments often feel far bigger than adults realise. Behind every marksheet is a child trying to understand their place in the world and whether they are measuring up to the expectations around them.
Having worked with children and teenagers for many years in both boarding and day school environments, I have seen how academic pressure can quietly affect even the most capable students. Many young people carry emotional burdens that adults do not immediately notice. They become very good at hiding anxiety, masking stress, and continuing to perform because they fear disappointing parents, teachers, or even themselves.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, it is worth reflecting on a simple but important truth: emotional wellbeing and academic achievement are not separate issues. In reality, they are deeply connected.
Stress in children rarely appears suddenly. More often, it develops gradually through changes in behaviour, mood, confidence, or routine. Parents should be alert to increased irritability, emotional withdrawal, loss of enthusiasm for activities once enjoyed, changes in sleeping or eating habits, or a growing fear of failure. Some students become unusually perfectionist, while others begin to lose motivation altogether. Physical symptoms can also appear. Frequent headaches, stomach aches, tiredness, or unexplained illnesses are often signs that emotional pressure is beginning to affect the body as well as the mind.
One of the challenges for parents is that high-achieving children are often the most skilled at concealing stress. A student may continue producing excellent grades while privately struggling with anxiety or exhaustion. Silence itself can sometimes be the warning sign.
Parents often ask why children do not simply speak openly when they are struggling. The reality is more complicated than many adults appreciate. Young people frequently worry about disappointing their parents or appearing weak. Some fear they will not be understood, while others believe their problems are insignificant compared to the expectations placed upon them. In highly competitive environments, many students begin to connect their entire sense of worth to academic performance.
Modern education has undoubtedly created tremendous opportunities, but it has also intensified pressure. Social media, rankings, university expectations, and constant comparison can create the impression that success is everything and failure is unacceptable. Even well-intentioned encouragement from adults can sometimes add to that pressure if children begin to feel that love, approval, or pride depend upon results.
There is nothing wrong with ambition. High standards matter. Discipline matters. Aspiration matters. Young people should absolutely be encouraged to work hard and aim high. However, children also need to know that they are valued beyond their grades. A child who believes they are respected and loved regardless of outcomes is far more likely to develop resilience, confidence, and long-term success.
The future will demand far more than examination results alone. Young people will need emotional strength, adaptability, communication skills, integrity, and the ability to recover from setbacks. These qualities are not developed through pressure alone. They are developed through secure relationships, healthy boundaries, encouragement, and trust.
If parents notice signs of emotional strain, the most important response is calm engagement rather than immediate correction. Children need opportunities to speak honestly without fear of judgement. Often, the best conversations happen indirectly during a car journey, a walk, or quiet moments at home rather than in formal discussions focused entirely on performance.
Can AI transform classrooms in rural India and improve outcomes?
Listening is usually more powerful than lecturing. Parents do not always need immediate solutions. Sometimes a child simply needs to feel heard. Questions such as “What has been feeling difficult recently?” are often more helpful than “Why are your grades dropping?” Reassurance also matters. Young people need to hear that stress and anxiety are normal human experiences and that asking for support is a sign of maturity, not weakness.
Families also play an enormous role in shaping how children understand success and failure. Praising effort, perseverance, and improvement rather than only outcomes helps children build healthier attitudes towards achievement. Avoiding comparisons with siblings or classmates is equally important. Comparison rarely motivates in the long term; more often, it damages confidence and creates resentment or insecurity.
Inside CBSE’s Curriculum Shift: Preparing students for evolving job roles
Parents should also be willing to talk honestly about setbacks in their own lives. Children benefit enormously from hearing that successful adults have also experienced failure, disappointment, and uncertainty. Resilience is not built through avoiding difficulty. It is built through learning how to recover from it.
At its heart, education should not simply be about producing high-performing students. It should be about helping young people become balanced, resilient, thoughtful, and emotionally secure adults. Examination results matter, but they should never define a child’s worth or determine the level of love and support they receive.
Is baby talk bad? Why ‘parentese’ actually helps babies learn language
Children may forget individual grades over time, but they rarely forget how adults made them feel during moments of pressure or disappointment. In the end, the greatest gift parents can offer is not perfection or constant success, but the security of knowing that they are valued, supported, and understood regardless of the outcome.
(This article is written by Peter Willett, Deputy Head - Pastoral, Shrewsbury International School India)
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: academic pressure,emotional wellbeing,mental health awareness,resilience in children,parental support
An estimated 8.7 crore Indians aged 15 to 29 are not studying, working or undergoing training, said a report by the NITI Aayog, the main public policy think tank of the Union government. The report, titled Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047
14 hours ago
Over the past decade, India’s finance talent pool has expanded rapidly. Access to education has improved, certifications are more widely pursued, and exposure to financial concepts has increased. But the biggest concern in finance education today is the shift towards attention-driven learning
1 days ago
Eligibility: Indian nationals in school (Class 9 to 12), UG or PG courses with at least 75% or 7.9 CGPA (10% relaxation for SC/ST students) and an annual family income not exceeding ₹300,000 (School students) and ₹600,000 (other categories). Eligibility: Indian nationals in school (Class 1 to
1 days ago
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to M/s Eduquity Career Technologies Pvt. Ltd. over lapses in the conduct of the All India AYUSH Post Graduate Entrance Test (AIAPGET) at an examination centre in Jaipur
1 days ago
For several decades, AutoCAD has remained the foundational tool in Civil Engineering practice. It has shaped how design documentation is produced, reviewed, and executed across projects of varying scales. However, in the current trajectory of the Architecture, Engineering
1 days ago
Having read several of Saikat Majumdar’s novels and a couple of his non-fiction books, I consider him one of those rare contemporary writers who move seamlessly across fiction, nonfiction, and academia – embodying the spirit of a true literary polymath
1 days ago
Ausa police in Maharashtra’s Latur district have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, associate Ajinkya Shinde, and three to four unidentified individuals following allegations of unorganised intrusion, filming
1 days ago
For generations, the pursuit of grades or marks has ruled Indian academia. Teachers quite often lament that this socially constructed obsession with high scores impedes authentic contextual learning. Yet the contemporary learner is moving away from a test-oriented approach to ask: What will I get
2 days ago
A moving note reading “I will become a doctor in my next life" was recovered after a 19-year-old NEET aspirant died by suicide at his residence in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The deceased, identified as Krishna Subhash Sonawane
2 days ago
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday night defended its Rs 200 fee for challenging an answer key, saying the system is “designed to be fair" to all students. The agency also rejected concerns that the charge is “too expensive". The NTA’s answer key challenge process allows candidates
2 days ago
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will confer the National Teachers Awards on 48 school teachers at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi, on September 5, 2026. The purpose of the National Teachers Award is to celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country and to honour
2 days ago
The COVID-19 pandemic permanently reshaped how colleges and universities deliver coursework, conduct exams, and share resources. The shift toward hybrid and blended learning that it accelerated has become the new standard. For many students, this transformation has unlocked greater flexibility and
2 days ago
AP ICET Counselling 2026 : The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has officially announced the schedule for the AP ICET 2026 centralised web counselling. Candidates seeking admission to MBA and MCA programmes at universities and affiliated colleges in the state can commence
2 days ago
The Centre on Thursday (August 20, 2026) told the Supreme Court that the 2026 University Grants Commission equity regulations on preventing caste-based discrimination on campuses is under reconsideration. On January 29, the apex court had directed that the University Grants Commission (Promotion of
4 days ago
In June 2026, thousands of students gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar after the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) was cancelled following a paper leak, demanding accountability from the government. The protests, which culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister
4 days ago
Following NEET UG, irregularities have also come to light in the UGC NET June 2026 examination. However, the Central Government told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the system used to conduct NEET UG is foolproof and difficult to breach. The government explained that several moderators are
4 days ago
The NCERT has reconstituted the textbook development team for classes 11 and 12 political science with a mandate to integrate cultural rootedness, Indian knowledge systems and inclusion, with at least four of the members having direct or indirect links with the RSS
4 days ago
The Delhi High Court has put JNU’s postgraduate admissions on hold. The court has stopped the university from finalising any admissions that use extra “deprivation points." The court said adding bonus marks to scores from a big national exam like CUET is unfair
4 days ago
In many Maths classrooms, a student encounters a challenging question, pauses for a moment, and almost immediately looks towards the teacher for assistance. Within seconds, a method is demonstrated, the solution is revealed, and the class moves on. The problem is solved
5 days ago
A university convocation is traditionally a rite of passage—a solemn initiation where the next generation of legal minds are welcomed into the fold of justice. However, this month, the halls of NALSAR University of Law became the site of a regulatory tantrum that threatened to undermine the very
5 days ago
IIT Kharagpur will begin the registration process for the Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM) 2027 on September 5, 2026. The application window will remain open until October 12, 2026. The institute, which is organising the examination this year
6 days ago
Mumbai: The Karnataka High Court admitted a fresh plea by Qatar Holding LLC against debt-laden edtech firm Byju’s, seeking to enforce a SGD 7.2 million ( ₹53 crore) arbitration award against founder Byju Raveendran and his company Byju’s Investments Pvt. Ltd (BIPL) in July
6 days ago
The Jharkhand government, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, announced on August 17, 2026, that the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination held in 2024 has been cancelled. The government has also ordered a detailed investigation into alleged irregularities in government recruitment
6 days ago
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out searches at 21 locations in Karnataka and Ahmedabad over alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission’s (KPSC) Veterinary Officers recruitment examination, ANI reported
6 days ago
For decades, India’s school education policy pursued a simple objective: to bring a school within reach of every child. The neighborhood school became an instrument of social justice, particularly for poor and rural families. However, many such schools have limited infrastructure and serve very
6 days ago
The Uttar Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (UPMSP) has released the results for the 2026 High School Improvement and Intermediate Compartment examinations. Candidates can check their results on the UP Board website, upmsp.edu.in. Along with the results
6 days ago
The Congress on Monday (August 17, 2026) stepped up its attack on the National Testing Agency over its decision to re-conduct the UGC-NET examination for three subjects, demanding accountability for what it termed “serious” lapses in the examination system and a white paper on 15 major
6 days ago
