The Future of Education

Are we preparing students for a success and happy life beyond school? In the 20^th century, schools placed an emphasis on the acquisition of knowledge and hard skills. With the emergence of 21^st century competencies, we have witnessed a shift in international education, prioritizing skills previously referred to as “soft skills” and elevating them to essential ones for success. However, a key element of success in the 21^st century is still undervalued in K-12 education, cultivating essential habits that lead to both academic and career success as well as wellbeing. Research in the field of behavioral psychology has demonstrated that key habits in adulthood lead to career achievement and wellbeing. These habits include those associated with productivity and time management. Other habits associated with wellbeing such as sleep hygiene, regular exercise, and mindfulness can significantly improve wellbeing. This paper investigates the key role that habits play in both academic success and maintaining wellbeing and argues that it’s time for schools to prioritize teaching these essential habits explicitly, then cultivate them in students year after year to prepare students for a successful and healthy life beyond graduation.