DIS Bloggers
Mindfulness and meditation for students
It seems like everyone has suddenly become a “mindfulness guru” these days. Everyone else seems to be offering guidance on “mindfulness”. Students, educators, influencers, and even that one friend who gets anxious before every test suddenly say that meditation has transformed their lives. To be honest, it almost sounds like a trend—right up there with “be positive” and “drink more water”. Yes, we all pretend to be calm while secretly worrying about the upcoming unit test.
However, as a psychology student who has actually read the Class 12 Psychology chapters (rather than just memorising definitions for tests), I’ve come to understand that mindfulness and meditation are more than just trendy terms; they’re potent fusions of contemporary psychological research and traditional spiritual knowledge. The concept of “dhyaan”, or teaching the mind to remain calm, conscious, and disengaged from needless chaos, is the foundation of mindfulness in Indian spiritual traditions. The path to chitta shuddhi—clarity, serenity, and mental equilibrium—has always been meditation. Surprisingly, contemporary psychology now suggests doing exactly what ancient yogis did thousands of years ago.
In psychology, it is claimed that mindfulness improves problem-focused coping, lowers cortisol, and reduces the body’s physiological stress reactions. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, it comprises a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within the pyramid. From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are psychological (food and clothing), safety (job security), love and belongingness (friendship), esteem and self-actualisation. Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can attend to needs higher up. Meditation provides students with a pathway to self-awareness and introspection, enabling them to uncover their passions, values, and purpose. People who meditate on a regular basis manage to improve their concentration level towards studies and many other works, as it helps students to cope with their stress and depression.
The parasympathetic nervous system is activated by techniques like deep breathing, yogic relaxation, and mindful awareness, which slow down and sharpen thinking. Mindfulness becomes less of a spiritual luxury and more of a survival skill in a world full of deadlines, competition, and comparison. When the world around you won’t stop agitating, it helps you think clearly, study more effectively, and maintain emotional stability.
Vaishnavi Joshi
XII Lily
Breathe, Believe, Achieve: Exploring the Role of Mindfulness in Student Life.
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”-Buddha
Students today face a lot of pressure to balance personal goals, extracurricular activities, and schoolwork. Many of us experience anxiety or burnout, and some of my close friends have gone through this too. During these times, mindfulness meditation, or Anapanasati in Buddhism, which means “awareness of breathing,” is a simple but effective technique that has helped me find balance. While there might not be a direct link between meditation and getting good grades, it is important for improving focus, memory, and emotional strength. Spending just a little time each day can make a big difference. Find a quiet place, like your room, a spot in the yard, or a calm area at school, and focus on your breath. You do not need to control it. Just breathe in and out while letting your thoughts flow freely. This silent and gentle practice of mindfulness can help keep you grounded and lessen stress, even during exams or tight deadlines.
Buddha identified four phases of mindful breathing. Each phase teaches valuable skills to students, including patience, focus, and being present. Mindfulness not only helps with academic success but also builds emotional strength. It helps us stay calm under pressure, overcome challenges, and respond wisely instead of reacting impulsively. In sports, mindfulness boosts focus and teamwork. It builds empathy and helps us manage relationships with greater understanding in everyday life. Practicing mindfulness also means stretching your mind like a muscle. By journaling, deep breathing, or simply sitting quietly for ten minutes, we can take charge of our thoughts instead of letting them take charge of us. This inner calm eventually becomes a source of confidence and peace.
Ultimately, mindfulness teaches us that true peace comes from being present and aware, not from chasing after constant success. When our minds are calm and focused, learning and living become easier and more enjoyable. Take time to slow down, breathe, and relax; this stillness is your real source of strength.
Anushka
XI Daisy
*Staying calm when life gets busy*
that peace isn’t something you find. It’s something you create, one calm breath at a time.
Prateek Most days feel like a race. Waking up early for school, rushing to coaching, studying late, and trying to keep up with everything. Sometimes I’d lie in bed at night, my mind still running even though my body was tired. I wanted good grades, I wanted to make my parents proud, but somewhere in all that, I forgot to just breathe.
One evening, after a really exhausting day, I decided to just sit quietly for a few minutes. No phone, no music, just silence. At first, it felt strange. My thoughts kept wandering. But after a while, I started to feel a bit lighter and calmer. That’s how meditation slowly became a small but important part of my routine. Now, even ten minutes of sitting quietly helps me clear my head before studying or before bed. I’ve also started being more mindful during the day. I notice how the air feels in the morning, listen when my friends talk, or actually taste my food instead of just eating in a hurry. I don’t have a huge circle of friends, but the few I have mean a lot. I try to make time to talk to them or just spend a few minutes with my family after a long day. Those little moments bring a kind of peace that no exam result can.
Mindfulness hasn’t magically made life easier. I still get tired, stressed, and worried. But it’s helped me handle it better. It reminds me that it’s okay to pause, to breathe, and to be gentle with myself. In the middle of all the chaos, I’ve learned
Prateek
XII Lily
Mindfulness and Meditation for Students
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Lord Buddha
In a world where each second matters, where rest is considered ‘mundane, a wastage of time’, and hyper productivity and the hustle culture are glorified — it is becoming increasingly important for people to take breaks from time-to-time, rest for a while, and take care of their mental health, especially for students like you and me: burdened by competition from classmates, expectations of parents, and the fear of not doing up to the mark.
It is, thus, imperative for one to pursue activities which induce a state of mindfulness — the human ability to be aware of one’s environment, physically and bodily — which can be achieved through regular meditation. Initially conceptualised and developed by ancient Asian traditions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism), meditation and mindfulness have found their way into the modern world in the past few decades.
Meditation is not just a way to align the subconsciousness of the mind with the physicality of the body … its effects go beyond that — decreasing and stabilising the levels of cortisol and heart rate, reducing stress; lengthening one’s attention span; and strengthening and expanding the neural connections in the brain, enhancing cognitive functions.
Thus, it’s the need of the hour for students to take out some time for themselves, each day, to practice meditation — to ensure a state of total mindfulness.
Zaid Khan
X Rose
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The Place That Shaped Me
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
A quote rightly said by the great civil rights activist, Mr. Luther King Jr., encapsulates my experience during the past decade at Dwarka International School a place where I’ve been encouraged to think critically, my character has been groomed, and I’ve realised my potential. Though I don’t exactly remember the first day of school, which I had in 2014, back in LKG, I still remember the first friends I made, the first exam I had, and the first competitions I participated in each a crucial moment of any student’s educational journey. This school, for me, is more than just a place to study at it’s like my second home; the students: my siblings, and the teachers: my parents and mentors.
Dwarka International School has provided me with a holistic education in all areas essential for success academic, moral, creative, and other subtle aspects often overlooked by me but not by my school. As graduation approaches with each passing session, I shall forever remember this school for the fun, the friendships, the education, and the memories I made here.
Thus, to sum it all up, School it’s not just a place for formal education; It’s a place to have fun, to make memories that last a generation. Though some may consider school as a place that’s “boring”, I’ll always remember Dwarka International as a place that was worth going to, even if it meant getting up at 5 in the morning. Though I admit, my experience in the past decade at this school has surely been quite unpredictable, but that’s what student life is about, having experiences which are next to unforgettable_
Zaid Khan
X Rose
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My time at Dwarka International School
For me, attending Dwarka International School for twelve amazing years has genuinely changed my life. When I started school as a young child, I had no idea what experiences, lessons, and opportunities lay ahead of me. The school has provided me with numerous opportunities to learn, develop, and succeed in both academics and extracurricular activities from the day I entered the classroom until my final year. It’s a place where I’ve grown, found my passions, and learned what it really means to “learn beyond the classroom.”
One thing I have always liked about my school is that it focuses on holistic learning. The teachers here have been more than educators; they have been mentors who helped me at every turn, pushed me to try new things, and believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I always had a place to express myself and learn something new, whether it was in school, in a club, or at a cultural event. I learned how to collaborate, lead, and engage with others through MUNs, Commercio, and the Interact Club. I felt good about myself and was motivated to do things I wouldn’t normally do, like preparing for MUN debates or organizing community projects. I learned the virtues of discipline and teamwork from Olympus, and I took pride in representing my school in interschool and local competitions. Additionally, I learned about Moot Court competitions, which piqued my interest in public speaking and law. Two cultural events that brought life and vibrancy to our campus while also fostering a sense of cultural enrichment were the Rangilo Dandiya Night Fest and the Winter Carnival.
Looking back, I am so thankful for every teacher, friend, and experience that shaped me. Dwarka International School has not only taught me things, but it has also helped me become the person I am today: confident, caring, and ready to take on the world.
Anushka
XI Daisy
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Finding My Place At DIS
When I first walked into DIS, everything felt new and a little scary. I was the new kid — quiet, unsure, and honestly a bit nervous. I didn’t know anyone, and being an introvert made it even harder to start conversations. Watching everyone laughing and talking in groups made me wonder if I’d ever fit in. But little by little, things started changing. A few classmates came up to me, smiled, and asked me to join them. That small gesture meant the world to me. Slowly, I began to open up. Soon, the same corridors that once felt strange started to feel familiar, and the faces around me turned into friends. We shared jokes, worked together, and created so many happy memories that I’ll always cherish.
The teachers at DIS made the biggest difference. They noticed when I was quiet, encouraged me to speak, and supported me every step of the way. Their warmth and positivity made the classroom feel like a safe space. They never let me feel like a “new student”, they made me feel like I belonged from day one.
Now, when I look back, I smile at how far I’ve come. From sitting alone to being surrounded by amazing friends, from being nervous to feeling confident — DIS gave me more than just an education; it gave me a second home.
I’m truly grateful to be part of such a wonderful school that celebrates every student for who they are. DIS didn’t just welcome me — it helped me grow, laugh, and truly be myself.
Prateek
XII Lily
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“A Journey of Learning and Memories.
“School is not just a place where we study; school is a place where we learn, grow, and create beautiful memories.
I remember the first day when I came into Dwarka International School crying because I didn’t want to leave my parents. Fearing adapting to a new situation, to leave my old friends. At that time, my teachers helped me a lot. A 7-year-old kid doesn’t know how to talk in English properly and doesn’t even know how to do unseen passages, but my teachers were very kind, helpful, and patient, and always ready to understand and always ready to teach me the same topic, which I don’t understand because of the language barrier. Inspire me to dream big and work hard. I must say one of the greatest strengths of my school is its team of dedicated teachers.
Also, things that made me more comfortable in the new school were fun activities apart from learning, like dance, music, art and craft, and sports, which make school life more fun. I took part in annual functions, MUNs, and inter-house competitions, and did not want to leave the opportunity to showcase the best of myself. The environment of our school is positive, friendly, and disciplined. The classrooms are well occupied, the libraries are full of knowledge, and the campus is clean and green.
Activities like community service, cultural programs, and eco-club projects have helped me become more responsible and caring. My school has taught me how to face the world with confidence and kindness. Most importantly, our school provides us the opportunity to represent what we are and how much we can do better, and in this, our teachers play an important role, teaching us essential values like honesty, respect, and teamwork. It prepares us not only for examinations but also for life. I feel proud to be a part of the wonderful institution.
Vaishnavi Joshi,
XII Lily