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Thu, Nov 13, 2025 | Jumada al-Awwal 22, 1447 | Fajr 05:14 | DXB 
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Students lose sleep due to approaching exams
DUBAI - Grade X and XII students of Indian curriculum schools are either burning the proverbial midnight oil or waking up before dawn to devote extra hours to their studies as the countdown for the annual exams has begun.
- By:
- Preeti Kannan (Our staff reporter)
The examinations will commence on March 1.
A majority of the students are losing sleep over the looming deadline and all forms of entertainment and social activity for those who are preparing for the examinations seem to have been curtailed.
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While urging parents to encourage their wards, instead of putting pressure on them, psychologists and experts are recommending a couple of hours of recreation and entertainment for the students everyday.
“I am really nervous as this is a crucial exam. You have to perform well as you really don't have a second chance. I feel like I have been working all my life for these finals,” says Divya Anbalagan, a Grade XII Science student of Indian High School, Dubai.
She prefers working on her lessons late at night and has been consistently putting in 9-10 hours a day.
“I prefer to study and sleep late. These marks are important while applying to colleges and I want to put in my best efforts,” she adds.
Several parents, on the other hand, help schedule a study time for their wards and say 'no' to entertainment and social activities so that their children devote time to their books.
“We have fixed a time-table so she wakes up early every morning, and have scheduled different subjects for the day so that it doesn't get too monotonous,” says Sugantha R, the parent of a student of Delhi Private School, Dubai.
New lifestyles
“There is a drastic change in our lifestyles as we don't watch television too much or go out too often. There is a kind of fear in our minds and we have stopped all social activities for the past few months,” she adds, conceding that their anxiety does unintentionally add to the stress levels of their wards.
Raymond Hamden, clinical and forensic psychologist in Dubai, says there should be a balance between studying, recreation and family time.
“The best way to handle this kind of stress is to balance life daily. Students have to designate time for study, time for recreation and time for the family. The time spent in school and on studies should be between eight and 10 hours, while for family and friends it should be between one and one-and-a-half hours and an equal amount time for recreation.”
He adds that students need to be get enough rest and must get at least eight hours of sleep to deal with the stress and to perform well.
Hamden observed that avoiding entertainment and socialising would only contribute to a child's failure.
“Parents are unjustified in that kind of behaviour. They should be encouraging, not threatening. Frustration and depression among children could lead to suicidal tendencies,” he noted, adding that the best way to approach exams was to learn, and not memorise.
Brintha Angaline Vinoth, a Grade X student of Indian High School, feels that the recently-concluded model exams have eased the pressure a little. However, the change in syllabi has added to their trepidation.
“The syllabus has changed a lot and more application-based questions are expected this time and it's going to be different. We have no question papers to fall back on,” says Brintha, a topper in her school.
“I don't completely cut off from entertainment and ensure that I often take short breaks, watch TV and go out occasionally with my family,” she adds.
Shanthi Seshadri, another parent of a Delhi Private School Grade X student, says, “I occasionally sit with my daughter late at night so that she doesn't feel sleepy and when she is tired, I try and pep her up. However, it's the peer pressure that makes it harder for children. I do advise my daughter to take it easy.”
Expectations
Students say that their parents' expectations makes the going even harder.
Often, parents also want them to attend rigorous tuitions and solve extra papers, which add to the tension.
Ankit Kushwaha, Grade XII student of Modern High School, says it is harder to juggle expectations more than anything else.
“There is, of course, the pressure to keep up my average and live up to others' expectations. I just try and shun the rest of the world as the hard work is on my shoulders,” he says, adding that it is unwise to stop all entertainment completely as it is necessary to keep the balance and the tempo intact.
Rema Menon, Director of Counselling Point Educational and Social Services, advises that syllabi could be broken into manageable chunks to make it easier.
He says parents, on their part, could take their wards out for an occasional drive or a walk and have a chat with them. “The pressure is because of the intense competition and for 10th Graders, board exams are magnified and blown out of proportions. Family and friends keep harping about it. Parents should make it clear that it is not a do-or-die situation. Ultimately it is the happiness and mental peace of the child that is important,” notes Menon.
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