In the journey of life, there are moments that silently sculpt our future. Academic examinations are one such moment—no longer mere assessments, but psychological battlegrounds. NEET, JEE, Civil Services, SSB, board exams—these are not just tests. They’ve become symbols of pressure, social scrutiny, familial aspirations, and deeply personal identity crises.

Success or failure in these exams sends ripples far beyond the student. Families feel it, neighborhoods whisper about it, and society reacts as if it were a public referendum on worth.

As exam season approaches, young minds face a surge of anxiety, sleeplessness, racing hearts, and debilitating self-doubt. According to the WHO, academic failure is the third leading cause of youth suicide worldwide. British psychologist Susan Barnett calls it “not just fear of failure, but fear of losing identity.” It’s no longer about........

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