If you also sit with your books for hours but still feel like you have not studied anything, it may mean that your brain is tired. Give it some rest and then start again.

I have been sitting at my study table since 8 in the morning. There is a pile of books in front of me, a highlighter in my hand, and only one thought in my mind: “I have to top this time.” But now it is 10 at night. My eyes hurt, my back hurts, and when I ask myself, “What did I study or complete today?”, my mind goes completely blank.

It feels like I spent the whole day turning pages but did not really study anything. Does this happen to you too?

The truth is, this feeling can be very stressful for students. You may feel scared and guilty that you spent so many hours trying to study but could not complete even one target. You may also feel like you are disappointing your parents, falling behind your friends, or maybe you are just not smart enough. When exams are near, these thoughts can feel even worse.

But wait. Close your books for a minute and take a deep breath.

If you are going through this, the first thing you need to do is let go of the guilt. You are not lazy. You may simply be experiencing exam burnout. When we keep pushing ourselves without taking breaks, our brain gets tired. A tired brain finds it harder to process and remember new information, even if you sit with your books for 12 hours.

Just sitting at your study table all day does not always mean that you are actually learning. Sometimes, we spend a lot of time reading without really understanding or remembering what we read. So, stop blaming yourself.

Here are a few simple things that can help you deal with this tiredness and stress:

• Choose quality over quantity: Studying with focus for 3 hours is better than sitting for 10 hours without understanding much.
• Try the Pomodoro Technique: Study for 25–30 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. Avoid using your phone during the break. Walk around, drink some water, or simply close your eyes and relax.
• Set small goals: Do not think about finishing the whole chapter at once. Pick one small topic and focus on completing it. Once you finish, give yourself credit.
• Be kind to yourself: If you did not study well on one day, it does not mean your future is ruined. One bad study day does not decide your ability or your future.

Exams are important, but your mental health and happiness are important too. The effort you are putting in is not wasted. Your brain may simply be tired. Give it some rest, and then start again.