School isn’t just about textbooks and exams. The habits kids form every day at home and in classrooms quietly shape their future. In India, where the pressure to perform is huge, many small mistakes go unnoticed. Parents, teachers, and even students themselves can catch these patterns early and make simple changes.
Here are seven common habits we see again and again and how to fix them.
1. Relying Only on Tuitions
The problem: In India, coaching centers have become the default. Kids believe if they attend tuition, they don’t need to think or explore on their own. This kills curiosity and problem-solving.
The fix: Encourage self-study and exploration. Parents can ask one open-ended question daily that isn’t in the textbook, showing kids that real learning goes beyond worksheets.
2. Measuring Success Only by Marks
The problem: Marks become an identity stamp. Many students fear mistakes because they think one bad grade defines their worth. This creates stress and discourages experimentation.
The fix: Praise effort, improvement, and resilience — not just scores. Schools and families should celebrate progress as much as results.
3. Screen Time without Boundaries
The problem: Phones, reels, and games eat into sleep, concentration, and even family conversations. When devices rule, discipline slips quietly.
The fix: Set clear family rules – no screens at mealtimes, no late-night scrolling. Most importantly, model this discipline yourself; kids notice hypocrisy fast.
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4. Avoiding Physical Activity
The problem: Long hours of sitting — at school, at tuition, then on screens — make kids inactive. Poor fitness directly impacts mood, focus, and energy.
The fix: Make activity non-negotiable, like brushing teeth. 90 minutes of cycling, walking, or team sports builds lifelong habits of health.
5. Comparing with “Sharma Ji ka Beta”
The problem: Every child in India knows the pain of comparison. It destroys confidence and creates unhealthy competition rather than growth.
The fix: Focus on each child’s unique skills and pace. When parents highlight strengths instead of pointing at others, kids develop self-belief that drives them further.
6. Ignoring Rest and Sleep
The problem: Students burn the midnight oil for exams, then drag through classes half-awake. Lack of sleep makes memory and focus much worse, not better.
The fix: Normalize 7–9 hours of proper rest. Parents and teachers must remind kids that rest isn’t laziness — it’s fuel for performance.
7. Treating Failure as the End
The problem: One failed test, one rejection, and many students mentally shut down. In our exam-driven culture, failure feels final.
The fix: Reframe failure as feedback. Share stories of role models — from A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to Virat Kohli — who stumbled before succeeding. Teach kids that failure is part of learning, not the end.
None of these habits are permanent. With awareness and small changes, parents, teachers, and students can build healthier routines together.
What habits do you see most often around you? Share them in the comments below — let’s keep this conversation brewing. Before you leave, take this 5-second poll:
Classroom Chai – Parents, Teachers, Students Together 
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