Indore College Tales: From Pulling All Nighter To Stress Cleaning-- Here's How Gen-ZS Are Handling Exam Pressure Ahead Of Semester-End Exams

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): With the upcoming end-semester examinations at DAVV’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC), students are finding increasingly creative and often hilarious, ways to cope with academic pressure.

As deadlines approach and syllabi pile up, many are turning to unique routines that blend discipline with comfort and humour.

Take short breaks in between to avoid burnout

For some, organisation is the key to staying calm. Vanya Dhawan, a final-year student, shared how a well-structured approach makes studying more enjoyable and less overwhelming:

"During exams, I like to keep things organised by arranging my schedule and study material properly. I make my notes so neat and structured that I actually enjoy studying them. I think studying becomes easier when you try to understand how it relates to your daily life."

"A good cup of coffee keeps me focused and adds comfort to my routine. I manage my time wisely and take short breaks in between to avoid burnout. I prefer completing my syllabus as early as possible so I don’t feel pressured later. Waking up early to revise helps me stay confident before exams. I also motivate myself with cute stationery and aesthetic setups. For me, studying becomes easier when it feels enjoyable and well-planned."

Others, however, are tackling stress with a dose of satire and self-awareness.

'Exam Stress-- a horror movie'

Harsh Sharma, an MA Film Aesthetics student, described his unconventional way of dealing with exam anxiety:

"Exam stress, in my opinion, is a beautifully crafted illusion, like a horror movie your brain directs at 2 a.m. starring unfinished chapters and dramatic ‘what if I fail’ plot twists. The reality? Half the time, it’s just me overestimating the syllabus and underestimating my ability to survive it."

He adds, "So naturally, I deal with this ‘life-threatening crisis’ in the most academic way possible, by munching on favourite food as if it’s a scientifically proven cure. Because clearly, one plate of comfort food has the power to restore lost confidence, rebuild motivation, and solve at least three chapters' worth of problems."

The adds, "There’s something incredibly therapeutic about convincing yourself that stress doesn’t exist while simultaneously reaching for snacks like it’s an emotional support system. I like to think of it as balance, panic a little, eat a lot, and suddenly the universe feels less hostile. In the end, maybe the stress never really disappears, but with good food and a slightly dramatic mindset, it becomes much easier to laugh at it… and then continue studying five minutes later."

Meanwhile, some students are relying on a mix of procrastination and last-minute bursts of productivity.

'I do everything except study, until the clock strikes 1am'

Riya Verma, a second-year student, shared her lighthearted take:
"I firmly believe that productivity during exams follows a very specific pattern: do everything except study, panic about it, and then suddenly unlock peak concentration at the most unreasonable hour. "

She adds,"It’s like my brain refuses to cooperate until the deadline is dangerously close. I’ll clean my room, reorganise my notes, scroll endlessly, and then at 1 a.m., I transform into the most focused version of myself. It’s chaotic, slightly stressful, but somehow it works every single time. At this point, I’ve just accepted it as part of my process. during my all-nighters, I tend to stress about all the remaining topics, which becomes my driving force to study harder. I tend to use AI tools to understand slightly longer questions more easily, and that's how I deal with exam stress."

As exam season looms, these contrasting yet relatable approaches highlight how students at DAVV SJMC are navigating pressure in their own ways, whether through careful planning, comedic coping, or last-minute hustle. One thing remains clear: in the face of stress, a little structure, humour, and self-awareness go a long way.