Satyarth Nayak Prakash, New Delhi: With pre-boards on and board examinations less than two months away, stress levels have already started reaching breaking point. As thousands of students hit the panic button, they face severe health risks.

For Class 12 students, the countdown has begun as they prepare themselves for board exams coming March. With less than two months remaining, severe stress levels are already building up even for the best of students.

“Though I am confident, I am a little nervous about the kind of questions they will ask. I feel tired and burnt out,” says a Class 12 student, Sarvar Bali. Long study hours and an irregular diet can affect their physical health.

The need to be constantly on their toes is bound to take its toll on most of them. Added to this is an improper sleeping pattern. Students are already on shaky ground even before the exams take off. The consequence is that students face headaches, blood pressure issues, wheezing, asthma triggers and many such problems. However, more than the body, it is the mind that can fall prey.

Constant strain and that ugly pressure of having to reach the finishing line first can play havoc with sensitive teenage minds. “Children can face blackouts, memory loss, irritability and such issues,” says Psychiatrist, Max, Samir Parekh. High expectations and future career concerns are making everyone stretch beyond limits.

Experts think that the students could be helped out in various ways. “Stop reminding the children about exams. The exam stress must be balanced with other activities. Elders have to be a support system,” says Counsellor, Madhumati Singh.

However, the greatest fear lurking is the fear of a possible failure. “I'll be devastated and depressed for at least a month if I don’t perform well,” says Sarvar Bali. The race for extra marks and the stiff competition indicates somewhere our education system is becoming a health hazard.