Helping students overwhelming situations

 Suppose you’re an educator, mentor, or parent supporting students preparing for exams like JEE or NEET. In that case, you’ve likely noticed something troubling: despite an explosion of study apps, techniques, and advice, many students feel more lost and overstressed than ever.

It’s easy to assume they just need to “work harder” or “study longer,” but that’s rarely the case. What we’re seeing is decision paralysis caused by too much conflicting information and too many study strategies floating around.

One student told us recently, “I’ve watched so many toppers’ routines, but now I don’t know which one to follow.” Another shared feeling was being burned out trying to keep up with a 12-hour study schedule they saw online.

As educators and guides, we need to recognise that our students don’t lack dedication—they’re overwhelmed by choices.

The best way to help them is to steer them toward a few proven, focused techniques that fit their style and pace, rather than bombarding them with every “latest” hack.

Here are five strategies we’ve seen consistently help students regain control and confidence:

• Purposeful Pomodoro Sessions Encourage students to use timed study sprints paired with meaningful breaks—like walking, stretching, or listening to calming music—to avoid burnout and maintain focus.
• Topic Mixing (Interleaved Learning) Guide students to switch between subjects during study sessions. Alternating, for example, Physics, English, and Biology keeps their brains engaged and improves retention.
• Active Recall Through Teaching Suggest they explain concepts aloud, as if teaching someone else—even if it’s just themselves. This helps identify gaps in understanding and deepens learning.
• One AI Tool at a Time Recommend adopting just one helpful AI resource, such as ChatGPT for flashcards or Notion AI for note organization, to prevent overwhelm.
• Visual Learning with Whiteboards and Sketches Encourage drawing diagrams and mind maps. Visual cues help make complex ideas stick better than passive reading.

As mentors and educators, we must help students cut through the noise and focus on what truly moves the needle.

In continuation with this article series we’ll share real examples of how students applied these techniques and significantly improved their mock test performance — along with practical tips you can share with your students today.

Follow @MentxTv for ongoing advice to support your students’ journey with clarity and confidence.

#Education #StudentSupport #JEEprep #NEETprep #StudyStrategies #Mentorship #AIinEducation #PomodoroTechnique #ActiveLearning