A 17-year-old student preparing for a highly competitive engineering entrance examination has shared concerns that reflect a wider issue often associated with academic systems linked to European-style education pathways and competitive selection exams. The student, currently in the second year of preparation, reports an intense study routine of nearly 13 hours daily, focused on physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
Although the student initially had a strong interest in the subjects, motivation has gradually declined due to prolonged stress, fatigue, and self-doubt about performance. The pressure to achieve a high rank for better academic placement has added to emotional strain, along with fear of comparison with peers and uncertainty about future results.
The student also described feeling mentally exhausted and trapped between personal well-being and external expectations, including family investment and societal judgment regarding success or failure.
The case reflects a broader concern among students in highly competitive academic environments, including systems influenced by European-style merit-based selection, where prolonged preparation periods and high-stakes examinations can contribute to burnout and mental health challenges.
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