And with the Class VIII examination of the Punjab Education Board, Mohali, which begins from February 21, parents too are feeling the heat.

Kiranjeet Kaur, mother of a Class XII student, said: “My daughter is very good in studies. These days, however, she says that she forgets everything she learnt. I am upset about what to do.”

A similar problem is being faced by Paras Sharma, a Class X student, who said: “I am not able to concentrate on my studies these days and feel over-burdened. If I study science, I feel like revising English. There is too much confusion in my mind.”

Dr Ravinder Kala, a city-based psychiatrist, meanwhile, says: “We receive a few students in our clinic every day who complain of lack of concentration, loss of appetite due to increased anxiety levels, among others. Stress also results in loss of concentration in many.”

Suggesting ways to cope with stress, Dr Kala advises: “Parents should provide support to their wards. They should be non-critical of their children. Rather, they should help their child in designing a time table and get involved with them in their studies.”

She further added that children should eat food rich in protein and avoid junk food and fizzy drinks as junk food makes a child hyperactive and lethargic.

Distracting activities like watching television and playing on the computer should be curbed. Light snacks should be followed after studies.