Vietnamese students experience health risks and stress after high school graduation exams

Doctors warn that the period immediately after Vietnam’s high‑school graduation exam is a health‑risk window. Intense study and exam pressure keep stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline elevated, suppressing the immune system. When the exam ends, cortisol drops sharply, leaving students vulnerable to infections and inflammation. Medical reports note a surge of flu‑like symptoms, headaches, muscle aches, sore throats, digestive issues and, in some cases, the onset of autoimmune or gastrointestinal disorders. Sleep disruption, chronic fatigue, weight loss and skin problems are also common, often linked to prolonged night‑time study and caffeine use.

The psychological impact is similarly severe. Many students experience anxiety, insomnia and depressive episodes while awaiting results, with some reporting obsessive checking of scores and even self‑harm tendencies. Parents share the strain, staying up nights, navigating traffic to reach test sites, and offering constant emotional support. Volunteer staff at test centres provide additional reassurance, but families still endure heightened worry over university admission prospects and the emotional toll on both children and parents.