Two Indian Students Share How They Beat School Anxiety

Every April, millions of students face a familiar mix of excitement and dread as a new school year begins, and two Indian teenagers are proving that talking about it makes all the difference.

Aalaya Bhatia, 14, from Gurugram and Aryan Tuli, 16, from Noida recently shared their experiences with what many call "April anxiety." It's that Sunday night feeling stretched across an entire month, complete with new teachers, reshuffled friendships, and rising expectations.

"The night before going to school had always felt like 'Did I complete all of my homework?' or 'Wish there was another holiday,'" Aalaya explains. For her, the anxiety often comes from classroom unpredictability, like surprise tests or not knowing if new teachers will be strict or kind.

Aryan, fresh off his board exams and heading into Class 11, sees it differently. "I won't call it a Sunday night feeling; it's more of a new experience I'll be tackling," he says, noting he feels butterflies but mostly excitement.

The academic pressure cycle frustrates both students. "First, the 10th standard was important; now they say the 11th is important—it's a never-ending cycle," Aryan admits. Aalaya agrees, saying repeated reminders from adults leave her feeling irritated.

Friendships add another layer of complexity when classes change. While both miss friends placed in different sections, Aryan has accepted it practically: "You cannot choose your stream based on your friends."

Overthinking makes everything harder. "I overthink, what if others judge me about my grades and more?" Aalaya shares. She notes that some students hide their emotions, not wanting to create stress for others or become the center of attention.

Why This Inspires

What makes these conversations powerful is how both students have found practical solutions without waiting for the system to change. Aalaya built a simple routine: revising topics the day before, reading chapters ahead, and planning homework accordingly. She also turns to creative outlets like music, reading, and art when stress builds.

Aryan takes a social approach, researching teachers with friends and turning potential anxiety into a shared experience. Both strategies work because they give students control over what they can manage.

Their willingness to speak openly about academic anxiety helps normalize these feelings for other students. By sharing what actually works, they're creating a roadmap for peers who might be struggling silently.

The message is clear: April anxiety is real, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming when students have simple tools and permission to talk about it.