Unlocking Success: The Importance of Discipline in a Student’s Life

Janet did well in her exams this year. But she knows that if she had consistently practised solving math problems, she would have gotten a much better score. 

Adithya works very hard. But he always submits his assignments and projects late. Everyone keeps telling him that he needs to manage his time better.

The coach thinks that Kabir has the potential to become the school’s football team captain. But she has her doubts because Kabir always loses heart and gives up on a match if he doesn’t score a goal. 

Janet, Kabir, and Adithya are facing very different challenges. 

But there is one solution that could help all of them. 

And that is discipline. 

The importance of discipline in a student’s life cannot be overstated. It keeps them focused, and gives them the power to achieve their goals in an efficient and stress-free manner. 

So, if you’d like to know more about the importance of discipline in school, and how to discipline in students can be promoted, you’re in luck. Because in this article, we will be answering some fundamental questions like: 

1. What is discipline?
2. Why is discipline important? 
3. How can we increase discipline in students? 

What is discipline? 

Discipline is the ability to follow a set of rules, or adopt a set of behaviors, with the objective of achieving a goal or completing a task. It can also be defined as the ability to do what you need to do, even when you may not feel like doing it.

Students often rely on external sources of motivation in order to take on a task. But motivation is a fickle emotion. It comes and goes in waves. So, what happens when you no longer feel motivated? 

That’s when discipline enters the picture. It gives you the focus and the clarity you need to follow a plan all the way through to the end. Discipline is the trait that allows you to complete essential activities that are necessary for your success even if you don’t like doing them. 

Why is discipline important? 

Now that we know what discipline is, let’s find out about the importance of discipline in a student’s life. Read on to know more about the benefits and importance of discipline in school and college: 

1. Enhances focus on goals: 

Being disciplined is all about being focused. A discipline is a tool through which you can identify your goals and take concrete steps to achieve them. And here’s the bonus: it keeps you from getting side-tracked by distractions. 

2. Improves time management skills:

Don’t you find yourself wishing you had more time to tick off all the things on your to-do list? Discipline is what can make this wish come true. 

Discipline provides structure to your day. And, it helps you allocate the right amount of time for different tasks. It also allows you to prioritise the activities that are most important to you. 

3. Increases productivity: 

When time management skills improve, productivity shoots up too. Productivity is not to be confused with being occupied and busy all day, every day. That can only lead to stress. 

Rather, productivity is about completing tasks by spending time effectively and efficiently. With discipline, students can increase their productivity in a calm and stress-free manner. 

4. Helps achieve excellence: 

A disciplined life leads to all-round development and success. It’s what allows you to balance academics, extra-curricular activities, hobbies, friendships, and more. The good habits built through discipline help students make their mark in every aspect of life. 

5. Boosts performance: 

When you approach your studies with discipline, it comes with a set of rewards. For instance, better grades, increased participation in the classroom, and a better relationship with teachers and coaches. 

But the rewards don’t stop there. Performance improvement can also lead to a greater number of options for career paths and higher education. 

6. Decreases stress and tension: 

In a student’s life, stress might be unavoidable. But it doesn’t have to be uncontrollable. 

Discipline teaches you to prioritize what’s important. It gives you more control over your time. And, it allows you to practise essential skills and behaviours. 

Together, these benefits can manage sources of stress like exams, assignments, or packed schedules. 

7. Teaches self-control: 

Discipline gives you the power to steer clear of the trap of instant gratification. It teaches you to prioritize long-term plans over short-term pleasure. 

Saying ‘yes’ to one goal means saying ‘no’ to several distractions. But this does not mean that you will be deprived of the things you love to do. It just means that you will be making thoughtful decisions that take your overall goals into account. 

8. Cultivates positivity: 

After you have practiced being disciplined for a while, you begin to see the benefits trickle in. This increases your self-confidence and gives your self-esteem a boost. 

Consequently, you begin to develop a more positive outlook toward life. An outlook like this is marked by optimism, eagerness, and courage. 

9. Increases resilience: 

Discipline builds character. It teaches you to power through challenging circumstances and stay focused on the end goal. It also helps you make tough choices and understand their consequences. 

Resilience is an essential character trait for students of all ages. This is because all students are bound to face stressful situations at some point. But having the discipline to keep going makes all the difference. 

10. Provides inspiration: 

A disciplined life is a beacon of light to the people that surround it. When you are disciplined, focused on your goals, and living a life of excellence, you become a source of inspiration to everyone around you. 

When people notice the results of your efforts and actions, they will find a role model in you. Your discipline and willpower can motivate your peers to take significant steps towards their goals as well. 

How can we increase discipline in students? 

Now that you are all up-to-date on the importance of discipline in school, you might still have one lingering question. How do we increase and enhance discipline in students? 

To answer this question, we have put together a three-step strategy below: 

1. List your goals:

Make a list of all your goals and dreams that you would like to achieve. Make sure you revisit this list from time to time. 

This list will remind you of your ‘why’. It’ll show you the reasons why it is important for you to focus and stay disciplined. Knowing your ‘why’ can give you a surge of motivation on days when the going gets tough. 

2. Make a plan:

Have you ever tried to build something complicated without an instruction manual? You don’t know where to begin, you’re confused about the different parts, and you end up feeling lost and frustrated. 

A plan is like an instruction manual. Without it, discipline is not of much use. A plan helps you figure out the action steps you need to take to achieve your goal. So, once you have listed out your goals, make a realistic plan to help you get there. 

This can include creating a schedule or a timetable. You could also use a calendar or planner to track important dates and milestones. 

3. Reduce distractions: 

While executing your plan, make sure you’ve accounted for any distractions you might face. 

For instance, you might want to complete reading a chapter of your textbook every day. But, if your phone is constantly lighting up with notifications, you might not get very far. You can avert this by first placing your phone in another room before you begin studying each day.

So, there you have it. Now, you know all about the importance of discipline in a student’s life. And, you’re armed with a three-step strategy to promote discipline in students. 

You’re all set to chase your goals and turn your dreams into a reality. As you begin this process, it’s important to keep in mind that change takes time. So, remember to take baby steps and be kind to yourself as you journey towards a disciplined life.