IIT-JEE students often deal with huge academic pressure, making them set up unrealistic timetables. They cram 12-14 hours for studies, skimping on sleep and skipping fun activities. This lifestyle is unhealthy, straining their mental well-being. Lack of rest affects concentration and memory, hindering learning. Without leisure time, stress builds up, leading to burnout and anxiety.
Social isolation worsens mental health, as human connection is vital for emotional balance. Persistent pressure without breaks diminishes motivation and enjoyment in learning. Ultimately, this unhealthy routine jeopardizes not only academic performance but also overall happiness and mental stability.
This was highlighted by several people online after an account on X (formerly Twitter) named Indian Tech & Infra shared a timetable set by a 17-year-old student preparing for IIT-JEE.
🚨 A 17-year-old student schedules for India's toughest exam, IIT-JEE preparation. (📸-@rcx86) pic.twitter.com/DG2vbTWR27
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) March 21, 2024
We see how the student has dedicated only 5 hours and 45 minutes for sleep/power naps and over 13 hours for study.
Several people online, including IIT-JEE toppers, responded to the post by claiming that one doesn’t need to dedicate as many hours to study to crack competitive exams. The quality of study is more important than the number of hours one dedicates to it. They also stressed on the importance on ones mental and physical health, which often gets neglected during the preparation of such exams.
I literally scored full marks in JEE Main 2017 (AIR 1) and didn’t study half as much.
Students who study this much usually end up burnt out, skill issue https://t.co/esOdG692vh
— Kalpit Veerwal (@kalpitveerwal) March 21, 2024
Maybe unpopular opinion-
You shouldnt grind to this degree. Cracking an exam isnt the end. Its the start of successively tougher competition. You cant increase hours/day beyond this.You'll burnout in 20s. Make peace with what you can achieve, enjoy the ride. https://t.co/rQZHpvDB0k
— Prathamesh Godbole | प्रथमेश गोडबोले (@prathgodbole) March 21, 2024
this classmate of mine got into IIT Bombay with his girlfriend, all while attending school (91% attendance) and getting good amount of sleep. even his friends who scored v less in 11th got into IIT too.
this schedule is so unhealthy and unnecessary.
SKILL ISSUE 🏃🏻— vani (@paneerchillli) March 21, 2024
This is highly highly exaggerated and misleading.
A typical IITian studied for no more than 8 – 10 hours a day during their IIT JEE (JEE Advanced) preparation days. I'm saying this from my own experience and experience of countess IITian friends. On rare occasions, had to study… https://t.co/8dgcutCpAU
— Aman Goel (@amangoeliitb) March 21, 2024
Cringe, I gave JEEt advanced and managed to secure <2k rank and not even once I adhered to such Cringe inspirational "suffering builds character" ass bullshit.. https://t.co/jDmE1S9WjP
— Punished Dr. Nightwing (@ArizonaLad88) March 21, 2024
Recipe for a really sad life. Our system has failed this child because we have been unable to create enough jobs and university seats. Make no mistake, even if you are upper middle class these days you don't even send your kids to CBSE schools or to IIT JEE entrance classes. They… https://t.co/KDHGda5fjY
— Raghav Awasthi (Modi ka Parivar) (@raghav355) March 21, 2024
I have grown up hearing "this will be the last time you will have to study this hard" .
That's a lie https://t.co/9tUF8V1wtQ— Mimi ❤ (fan account) (@Piggy__Chops) March 21, 2024
What do you think about the timetable?