Significance of Mental Health & Well-Being for Academic Success

Daneshwar Sharma, Director (In-Charge), Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur in an interaction with Grena P, Correspondent, Higher Education Review magazine shares his views on the importance of how true happiness in academics emerges from having a sense of purpose, autonomy, and emotional balance. He underscored how Jaipuria promotes wellness in students' academic experience by emphasizing mindfulness, reflection, mentorship, and learning practices that are empathetic and foster resilience, positivity, and happiness in learning.

Daneshwar Sharma is an accomplished academic leader and corporate trainer with over 19 years of experience in teaching, training, and executive education. He has designed and delivered more than 100 Management Development Programs (MDPs) and executive sessions for senior professionals across industries.

In your view, what are the key factors that contribute to a student’s happiness in academics?

Generation Z students are distinguishable by their unique worldview and way of thinking. They predominantly seek two things: autonomy and purpose. Academic happiness arises from a sense of meaning, belonging, independence, and progress.

Students feel fulfilled when their learning is clear and connected to real-world applications and future aspirations. They thrive in environments that encourage them not just to achieve, but to question, explore, and create. When classrooms enable discussions and exploration rather than simply relay information, students are more likely to experience happiness while learning. Happiness in academics may sound paradoxical, yet with the right environment, it is attainable.

How can students maintain emotional balance while managing academic pressure and expectations?

The term “academic pressure” has some negative implications, as though happiness and pressure cannot coexist. However, balance does not mean eliminating pressure; it means learning to deal with pressure mindfully. Happiness means not the absence of challenges; it is about learning to manage the challenges wisely. Emotional regulation starts with awareness: stress and pressure can be two catalysts for growth. For instance, at Jaipuria, we integrate happiness practices and emotional wellbeing in our curriculum. Students journal their feelings, share their reflections about their learning, and sometimes even meditate during class time.

What role does mindset play in helping students find joy in learning rather than stress about performance?

Mindset determines how students interpret their experiences. Gen Z is naturally curious and strives to understand and justify their experiences through performance. We encourage students to switch their question from, “How did I perform?” to “What did I learn?”

To contextualize this, we hold an event following every trimester called R&R - Reorientation and Rejuvenation - in which students participate in communal activities. Students engage in collaborative activities such as community kitchens, where they cook for campus staff, faculty, and peers. The experience teaches them humility, teamwork, and gratitude.

How can students develop resilience and positivity when facing academic setbacks or failures?

People often focus on failure in a negative way but failing is a vital aspect of the learning process. Academic failure will happen at some point during a student's educational experience; yet such experiences can become powerful teachers when approached constructively. For instance, at Jaipuria, our work on resilience consists of three components: reflection, mentoring, and meaning-making. Activities such as peer-sharing sessions and reflection circles provide students the opportunity to work through their experiences together. These conversations foster perspective, strength and self-awareness, transforming setbacks into stepping stones.

In what ways can building good relationships with teachers and peers enhance student well-being?

Relationships form the foundation of happiness. Campuses thrive on healthy relationships between student and student, student and teacher, and teacher and teacher. For instance, at Jaipura, We follow the CARE framework - Compassion, Awareness, Resilience, and Engagement.

Compassion starts with empathy. At the beginning of each trimester, students interview people in their community. This experience promotes a shift in the students’ mindset from I-centric to We-centric, fostering gratitude and social sensitivity.

We also encourage collaboration and conversation. Learning environments go beyond classrooms, to the library, the courtyard, or even beneath a banyan tree, where students can freely exchange ideas. Creating group assignment or collaborative projects further fosters teamwork and dialogue. Through these practices, relationships deepen and happiness becomes a shared experience.

How important is time management and self-discipline in achieving both success and happiness in studies?

A common misconception is that happiness is the absence of effort or responsibility. In reality, happiness is based on discipline and structure. Time management offers a sense of control, and being in control reduces stress. A well-planned day allows students to focus their energies purposefully rather than react to chaos. For instance, at Jaipuria, students create “Happiness Timetables.” These timetables include not only the study period, but also rest, physical activity, creativity and social interaction. Balance is vital which comprises enough sleep, exercise, and mindful breaks. Ultimately, a lack of self-discipline leads to get into unproductive habits such as scrolling social media and procrastinating, resulting in guilt and stress.

What habits or daily practices would you recommend for students to stay mentally and emotionally healthy?

Three habits stand out as transformative are gratitude, digital mindfulness, and physical activity. Gratitude is a powerful virtue. It multiplies what we have and changes how we see things. Students should practice gratitude on a daily basis. Secondly, in this digital age, it is critical to maintain good digital hygiene. Students must be aware of their screen time and consciously cut out non-productive scrolling.  Excessive digital consumption not only drains time but also contributes to anxiety and dissatisfaction. Finally, a happy mind lives in a happy body. Regular physical activity, whether it's walking or jogging, yoga, or sport will refresh both your mind and spirit.

How can educators and institutions create a learning environment that nurtures student happiness and motivation?

Each institution will have its own unique view of success whether that is grades, rankings, or placements. Ultimately, success should be focused on raising healthy students socially, emotionally and mentally.

While academic success is important, but it is secondary. The ultimate obligation of any institution is to create healthy, empathetic, and self-aware citizens. Accordingly, educators need to intentionally integrate student well-being into the academic fabric through curricular designs, extracurricular opportunities, and teacher training.

Weekly schedules can include sessions on mediation, mental health, digital detox, yoga, or Zumba. When classrooms change to a space of conversation, respect and emotional safety, happiness comes naturally in the learning process.

What message would you like to share with students who feel overwhelmed or uncertain about their academic journey?

If you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed, take comfort from teachers, or some of the most successful people you've known. Feeling uncomfortable is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of growth. Growth comes when you take small steps. Set clear goals, make a plan, break the plan into small actions, and focus on the next action. As the book Eat That Frog beautifully puts it, even if you have to eat an elephant, do it one bite at a time. Success is never achieved overnight - it is built day by day, decision by decision.