JEE Mains Exam: Expert Explains How Parents, Teachers and Friends Can Support Aspirants Ahead of NTA JEE Exams
New Delhi, Jan 16, 2026
As the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main approaches, lakhs of aspirants across India find themselves under intense academic and psychological pressure. While most preparation advice focuses on study schedules and revision strategies, education experts emphasise that a strong emotional support system is just as important for a candidate’s well-being and performance.
Understanding the Stress Behind JEE Preparation
The JEE Main, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is one of the most competitive engineering entrance exams in India, testing students in subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The magnitude of competition means students often start preparing years in advance, which can lead to long study hours and the sacrifice of leisure, sleep and social life. This can result in anxiety, burnout and emotional strain for many aspirants.
Experts point out that performance pressure is not just academic — it becomes intertwined with students’ sense of self-worth and future aspirations, making emotional support from family, mentors and peers critical.
How Parents Can Help: From Pressure to Partnership
Parents play a fundamental role in shaping a student’s preparation environment. Instead of pressurising their children with high expectations or comparisons, they should:
✔ Encourage open conversations
Let the child express fears, frustrations and doubts without judgment. Validating their feelings helps ease emotional stress.
✔ Provide balanced support
Parents should emphasise self-discipline and personal growth, and be ready to celebrate effort and progress — not just results.
✔ Reduce unnecessary pressure
Avoid unrealistic goals and comparisons with peers. A supportive home atmosphere can be a student’s strongest anchor.
Teachers as Mentors: Beyond Academics
Teachers and coaches often see students during their most challenging academic moments. Their influence goes beyond textbook lessons:
✔ Offer constructive, empathetic feedback
Rather than promoting fear of failure, teachers should cultivate curiosity, confidence and growth-oriented thinking.
✔ Act as emotional guides
A compassionate teacher can help students feel understood and valued, increasing self-esteem and motivation.
Friends and Peers: Shared Strength in the Journey
Fellow aspirants often understand the pressures of JEE preparation better than anyone else. A positive peer network can:
✔ Provide emotional relatability
Friends can help ease stress and isolation, offering moral support during difficult phases.
✔ Encourage collaborative learning
Study groups, discussions and structured peer support can make preparation less overwhelming and more productive.
✔ Prevent toxic competition
Healthy collaboration over rivalry helps students grow together, reducing comparison-based anxiety.
Is Current Support Enough?
Despite efforts, mental health support for JEE aspirants remains limited. Counsellors and structured psychological resources are not widely accessible, especially during intense preparation periods. Experts urge coaching centres, schools and families to integrate emotional support and well-being initiatives into the preparation process.
True success, they believe, is not measured solely by rank or admission but also by a student’s emotional resilience, confidence and ability to transition confidently into future academic and life challenges.
