Importance of Discipline in Student Life

Student life is full of energy, passion, quest for knowledge and self-exploration. Indian boarding schools are focused on giving the best to students to allow them to excel academically and build something productive in their lives. Discipline in student life plays an essential role because the goals or aims of a student, either academic or individual, can only be achieved by staying focused. Students must realise the importance of discipline as it is the primary factor that boosts their self-motivation and productivity. Let us see how discipline benefits student life.

How can students develop interpersonal skills at school?

Interpersonal skills are defined as abilities or tactics students use in their everyday lives to interact and live socially. It is also termed as ‘people’s skills’ as it determines the qualities of an individual to build relations and effectively associate with their surroundings. Interpersonal skills combine a range of verbal and non-verbal communication to foster technical capabilities of speaking, behaving, and communicating. The different types of interpersonal skills are-

1. Conflict management– Students encounter various conflicts and problems that need resolution daily. Boarding schools help offer a platform where students are taught how to resolve conflicts constructively. It includes active listening, compromising, finding common ground, and expressing feelings without blaming others.

2. Teamwork– Students are encouraged to work in teams while they stay at residential schools. Teachers at boarding schools assign group projects or collaborative assignments to allow students to work together. Students can communicate effectively within the group by delegating tasks and setting goals and developing tolerance for diverse ideas and criticism.

3. Active Listening– Communication does not solely revolve around speaking but also depends on active listening, not just hearing. Top boarding schools encourage students to actively listen when others are speaking instead of interrupting or blanking out. This means giving their full attention and showing engagement in the conversation. Non-verbal gestures such as nodding, making eye contact, and asking relevant questions are associated with active listening.

4. Effective Communication– Speech is a part of communication, reading, and writing. Good boarding schools encourage students to express their thoughts and ideas articulately verbally and in writing. It is done by providing opportunities for students to practise public speaking through presentations and competitions.

5. Discipline– One of the most essential interpersonal skills is fostering self-discipline and social- discipline. Boarding schools must assert rules and regulations and be strict in asking the students to adhere to them. Proper schedules and routines must be followed without procrastination.

How important is discipline in a student’s life?

Discipline is fundamental to a student’s academic success, personal development, and prospects. Disciplined students are more likely to self-motivate and encourage themselves towards their goals instead of giving up in times of failure. Every boarding school fosters discipline in student life to improve the quality of student life and remove distractions. The importance of discipline in student life is as follows- 

1. Improves academics– Discipline is an essential trait that every student must imbibe to avoid modern-day distractions such as smart devices and enhance educational growth. By staying disciplined, students work on a set study routine, attend classes regularly, and complete assignments on time. With discipline, it becomes easier for students to stay focused and achieve academic excellence.

2. Time management– An integral part of student life, discipline helps students manage their time effectively. By working their time systematically, students can prioritise their tasks and their set goals. It helps create a balance by allocating sufficient time for studying, extracurricular activities, and personal life. This skill is invaluable not only for academic life but also in personal settings.

3. Developing self-control– Discipline teaches self-control and enhances the ability to resist distractions and temptations that hinder students’ academic progress. It enables students to stay on track and make wise choices instead of getting diverted by modern-day distractions and procrastination.

4. Reduces stress– Students living an unsystematic and disorganised life are more prone to the last-minute burden of completing tasks and, therefore, face anxiety issues. Discipline can help in reducing stress and anxiety. Disciplined students are organised and proactive, making them less likely to experience last-minute cramming, missed deadlines, and other issues that may cause stress.

5. Preparing for the future– Developing the quality of discipline has a long-term impact on a student’s life as it prepares them for the future responsibilities and expectations they will face in adulthood. It sets the foundation for career building in college, the workplace, and personal life.

6. Promotes healthy lifestyle– If the body gets accustomed to eating, sleeping and studying at given hours, its productivity is enhanced, and students will likely remain healthy. Eating at odd hours and having a disoriented sleep schedule can lead to stress and other health-related problems.

How does boarding school promote discipline in student life?

The best boarding schools in India are well-known for fostering discipline and other interpersonal skills in students. Discipline is regarded as one of the most valuable skills, so schools make significant initiatives to promote it.

1. Regular routines– Boarding schools strictly adhere to a fixed schedule by setting a suitable time for classes, meals, study periods, and extracurricular activities. Consistency in routine helps students develop a sense of order and responsibility and enables them to work in an organised way.

2. Fosters liability– When living at residential schools, students are liable for violating any rules or guidelines set by the school. Every misconduct has its consequences to teach students to stay in order and prevent them from turning towards violence, disarray, unethical and unacceptable behaviour.

3. Limits distractions– Boarding schools offer students an intellectually stimulating and sound environment with fewer distractions than home environments. Students are given a dedicated space for studying, such as a library, to concentrate on their academic pursuits without any distractions or interruptions that can otherwise occur at home.

4. Peer monitoring– When at residential schools, students are constantly under the eye of their peers, mentor or staff and, therefore, need to behave in a specific way. Students fear being judged by others, so they stay disciplined and present their best selves.

How can students maintain discipline in school?

Living a disciplined life benefits a student’s academic and professional life and extends its roots to their personal life. Students must learn to practise discipline and work systematically and orderly.

1. Set clear goals– It is the foremost thing every student must do. Defining your academic and personal goals helps in giving students a sense of purpose and motivation to stay disciplined. This way, students would resist getting burdened and stressed.

2. Framing a schedule– Daily must be divided into a balanced routine where students study, sleep, self-care, and extracurricular activities. The students must, after that, stick to this schedule as closely as possible.

3. Prioritising tasks– Not every task incoming daily needs to be as important as the other. Students must learn time management and identify the most critical and time-sensitive tasks to work on them first.

4. Taking breaks– Discipline does not mean working continuously for hours and getting exhausted. Students must allow their minds to relax, or they will soon divert towards lethargy and procrastination.

5. Setting realistic expectations– Only commit to what you can accomplish. Students must build a realistic lifestyle instead of placing them on unreal standards that stress them out even more.

6. Seeking guidance– There are times when students need help staying disciplined and, therefore, must look for motivation and encouragement from their peers or mentors without hesitation.

These are a few ways of practising discipline in student life to stay away from distractions and focus on academic and personal growth.

SKV is a female boarding school in Gwalior that promotes the holistic development of students in an organised and disciplined environment. We ensure that the students are motivated and career-oriented and offer a range of recreational activities such as sports and extracurriculars to avoid boredom.