Dad wanted me to take Science... and now I've failed: Silent cries behind CBSE results

"Dad wanted me to take Science... and now I've failed..." While the CBSE Class 12 results brought joy in many homes, a parallel situation of stress and anxiety has emerged among students who did not perform as expected. CBSE’s centralised counselling helpline has been receiving a steady stream of distress calls from both students and parents struggling to cope with the emotional aftermath of the results. Read Full Story Dr Neha Sharma, a CBSE counsellor, said the pressure on students this year appears higher than usual. “Since the results were declared, I have been receiving 10 to 15 calls daily from students and parents,” she noted. Many students, she added, are “convinced that they are failures” after scoring low marks and are experiencing severe mental stress. BETWEEN EXPECTATIONS AND STUDENT STRUGGLES A recurring concern in these conversations is the gap between student aspirations and parental expectations. One student shared a painful experience, saying, “Dad wanted me to take Science and now I’ve failed.” The student explained that Commerce was their preference, but family pressure led them down a different academic path. Dr Sharma highlighted that such conflicts are becoming increasingly common. “A significant concern this time is the rising number of cases where parents are failing to provide support to their children,” she said, pointing to the emotional disconnect that often follows exam results. WHEN MULTITASKING BECOMES OVERWHELMING In another case, a student described the pressure of managing board exams alongside competitive preparation. “Instead of attending regular school, I was simultaneously preparing for the JEE entrance exam alongside my Class 12 Board exams. I managed to clear the JEE, but my result in the Board exams fell below 75%,” the student said. They added that their parents later accused them of neglecting studies. Such situations, counsellors say, lead to frustration on both sides, especially when students feel their efforts are not acknowledged. TRUST, DOUBT AND DIGITAL AGE PRESSURE Some students reported a lack of trust from parents regarding their performance. One student said, “My parents keep telling me that I must have cheated in the pre-board exams,” despite having studied seriously. The student felt misunderstood and demotivated due to constant suspicion. WHEN HOME BECOMES A STRESS ZONE Counsellors also shared concerns from parents. In one interaction, a mother broke down, saying her once-diligent child had stopped studying and become aggressive. Dr Sharma explained that after counselling, it became clear that “the mother had been constantly nagging the child to study, virtually all the time.” A REMINDER BEYOND MARKS Experts across CBSE counselling services emphasise that board exams are only a milestone, not a life verdict. They urge families to focus on communication over comparison. As Dr Sharma reiterated, students need “a positive and supportive environment” to recover from setbacks and move forward with confidence. Ends