When the syllabus feels too big, the answer is to break it into smaller pieces and start with the most important, high-scoring topics, not to try and absorb everything at once. Overwhelm comes from looking at the whole mountain; you climb it by focusing on one step at a time.
Break it down. List all chapters or topics. Seeing the syllabus as a checklist of small parts makes it far less scary than one giant blur, and you can tick each off as you finish.
Prioritise by weightage. Find which topics carry the most marks, from the syllabus and past papers, and start there. You get the biggest return early and are not wasting energy on low-value topics first.
Start with what builds confidence. Beginning with a topic you find slightly easier or more interesting builds momentum. A few early wins make the rest feel doable.
Make a simple plan. Spread the topics across the days or weeks you have, with daily targets. A plan turns everything-somehow into this-much-today.
Example: A Class 12 student in Lucknow froze looking at her huge syllabus. She listed every chapter, marked the high-weightage ones, and started with two per day. Within a week the list felt manageable instead of impossible.
One practical tip: Just start with one topic today, the smallest first step. The syllabus feels lighter the moment you begin, because action shrinks anxiety far faster than planning or worrying ever does.