Exam season is underway in the UK. Eshwara Masina, 14, from Queen Elizabeth’s School Barnet, warns of the dangers of prioritising A* and 9 grades over health and wellbeing.
A few weeks ago, at a school in the UK, a Year 11 student collapsed. Staff rushed to help her, and a heavy silence filled the hall. Later, it was learned that she had barely slept for days, caught between revision, coursework and a part-time job. Teachers had reminded students previously to “take care of themselves”, however the next day, homework hand-ins and revision classes went on as normal as if nothing had happened. The implicitSuggested or to be understood though not clearly or directly stated. message was clear: even in the face of exhaustion, there seems to be an unspoken expectation of keeping going.
In 2023, more than 733,000 children and young people in England were referred to NHSThe National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. The NHS was founded in 1948. mental health services, marking the highest number recorded. At the same time, a survey by Young Minds found that 77% of secondary school pupils reported that stress associated with their school setting had negatively affected their mental health, while 55% confessed to suffering from constant worry. Such statistics are not faceless numbers; they represent fellow students who show up at schools in a state of exhaustion, who skip meals to attend clubs, and who joke about their tiredness as though it is proof of their dedication.
In many institutions, the display of burnout as a sign of success has become a trend. Students often boast about the feeling of lacking adequate sleep, while teachers praise those who “grit”, as if they have overcome obstacles. The fear of falling behind drives a person into a never-ending cycle of work. What began as a short-term effort becomes a continuous marathon without end or rest. Education should be a platform where curiosity is nurtured as well as self-confidence. Instead, education has turned into endurance tests where the aim is survival. Skills are learned mainly through memorisation under stress, a failure of the education system.
Institutions need to improve the way they educate. The inclusion of mental health concerns within the educational model needs to come at every level and go beyond superficial curricular activity. Teachers should be trained to recognise signs of burnout and provide support that is more than hollow assurances. Using strategies such as weekend homework-free days, flexible deadlines, and emotional wellbeing monitoring on a regular basis can shift the student experience from a period of crisis to one of balance. People are often caught hiding panic attacks behind closed doors while maintaining a mask of constructed smiles. It’s important that we don’t lose our sanity for the sake of showing our commitment.
Lasting success relies on consistent effort and determination, not on self-destructive habits. Burnout should not be confused with a sign of commitment; indeed, burnout indicates a flawed educational model that neglects the wellbeing of the very people it supposedly trains. To develop a generation of strength, creativity, and hardiness, success must be redefined to include happiness and overall health. True success is not built on exhaustion, but on a foundation of balance, resilience, and wellbeing.
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Keywords
Implicit – Suggested or to be understood though not clearly or directly stated.
NHS – The National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. The NHS was founded in 1948.
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