Experts warn: Old-school rigor won't work, Gen Z demands flexible learning

Gen Z is reshaping the education system as for this generation, striking a balance is a priority. These young folks are rejecting the “grind culture” and openly declaring their preference for “sustainable learning” that is not constrained by blind rigour and rather allows flexible schedules. According to them, it's possible to thrive without sacrificing well-being. In other words, Gen Z is vying for study-life balance, causing a tectonic shift in the modern-day education system. So what changes need to be made in the education system, or to be precise, in the learning approach?

Forget straight A’s, Gen Z wants something far more radical from education

Gen Z is significantly more open about mental health challenges compared to previous generations. A detailed 2025 study in the Journal of Youth Mental Health highlights how internal traits like resilience and extraversion combined with external support systems play a crucial role in their wellbeing, despite complex interactions with digital phenomena such as Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and screen time. The study underscores Gen Z’s adaptive coping mechanisms as digital natives, suggesting that their education experiences should incorporate mental health support structures for optimal outcomes.

A recent 2025 study by the Pacific Oaks College confirms this trend, reporting that over 37% of Gen Z seek therapy compared to lower percentages in older generations, with anxiety and other mental health concerns at notable rates. Gen Z’s prioritisation of mental wellness informs their demand for educational flexibility and support that respects emotional as well as cognitive development.

In an interview with TOI Education , Kalpesh Banker, Managing Partner at EduShine Search Partner, suggested, "Well, we need to start with cultivating the higher levels of digital literacy - not among Gen Z but among the educators who are most likely falling in the millennial category. Educational institutions need to encourage blended learning and be open to significant changes in the curriculum to address mental health and well-being requirements. The learning approach should also focus on interdisciplinary aspects of education. Bringing together different streams, coupled with hands-on, experiential training, can help Gen Z explore opportunities that are more fulfilling and holistic."

A recent 2025 academic research in Frontiers in Education advocates for active, collaborative and metacognitive learning strategies that engage Gen Z’s digital familiarity while fostering autonomy and deeper engagement. Project-based learning and AI-driven formative assessments have demonstrated improved motivation and academic performance, offering personalised and context-driven experiences. However, care is stressed to balance AI use with human elements to sustain critical thinking and self-regulation skills.

Offering the support of the mentors and networking to Gen Z is another impactful way to lead them to the path of self-discovery . Banker said, "Mentors are wonderful not only for lending professional support but also for helping younger ones to handle the pressure with desired composure. Integration of the counselling sessions, stress management workshop, and open discussion forums is significant to achieve these objectives. Gen Z’s desire for purpose-driven education is also bringing revolutionary change. They value learning more when it connects them with values. From social justice to sustainability and personal growth, value-driven education is finding great favour with them." Gen Z’s emphasis on balance does not signal their decline in ambition. They continue to remain upbeat about the growth prospects, although not at the altar of their mental health and holistic well-being.

How Gen Z is forcing a rethink on mental health and learning

A recent 2025 research paper in International Journal of Business and Management explores how Gen Z workers, particularly in digital sectors, negotiate boundaries between work, study and personal life amid high stress and anxiety levels. Findings reveal that Gen Z’s prioritisation of flexible work policies and mental health support correlate with higher job satisfaction and productivity. This underlines the inseparability of study–life balance from future work-life expectations, pressing educational institutions to prepare students for these realities through adaptable and supportive environments.

Bringing his expertise to the same, Praneet Mungali, Trustee and Educationist at Sanskriti Group of Schools, said, "Today, the challenge for Gen Z is not just excelling academically but finding a balance between study, mental health and self-discovery. Unlike previous generations, their mental well-being is under assault in subtle, insidious ways. The disappearance of free play in childhood, the usage of screens from an early age and parents preoccupied with digital distractions, have created an environment fostering isolation rather than connection. The overemphasis of the traditional education system on cognitive performance has worsened the problem. As AI and other emerging technologies begin to automate many conventional intellectual tasks, the pressing need is for a shift toward Social-Emotional Learning or SEL based education."

SEL skills are abilities that help students understand and manage emotions, build positive relationships, make responsible decisions and navigate life with resilience and empathy. Mungali explained, "Such skills not only support mental health, but also prepare students for the complexities of modern life. To back the SEL skills is the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest-running research on human well-being that reinforces this perspective. Its central finding is clear: the greatest predictor of long-term happiness and health is not wealth, fame or academic achievement, but the quality of relationships and connections we build. Therefore, embedding SEL into the traditional educational system can give Gen Z career readiness along with a set of tools for a fulfilling life."

Several pressures are unique to Gen Z, including social media exposure, pandemic impacts and financial insecurity, contributing to rising distress and mental health demands. In a 2025 Global Mental Health Review study spanning 44 countries, the authors call for policy actions in schools and communities to limit harmful digital influences while promoting face-to-face interaction and mental health services. This context shapes Gen Z’s educational choices, encouraging environments that nurture resilience and social connection.

Another important and rather overlooked aspect is time management. Time is a scarce resource and it is essential that both parents as well as schools pay closer attention to how students are spending their time. Mungali recommended, "Rather than focussing on rote memorization or routine technical drills that machines may soon take over, allocating time towards activities that nurture collaboration, reflection and self-discovery will be advantageous. If education continues to prioritise only cognitive performance, we risk raising a generation that may excel technically but struggle emotionally. Education must therefore adapt to changing times; moving from a focus on test scores and degrees to a broader framework that fosters both competence and contentment. Ultimately, the goal of education must expand beyond creating a successful next generation. By aligning education with mental health, SEL and purposeful time management, we can offer Gen Z what truly matters: the skills to thrive in their academics, their social relationships and their journey of self-discovery."

Gen Z’s approach to study–life balance reflects transformative trends in education driven by mental health awareness, technology integration and self-discovery priorities. Strategies include active learning, formative AI assessments, flexible structures and holistic support systems that collectively aim to enhance academic engagement and psychological wellbeing. Educational institutions responsive to these needs will better prepare Gen Z for successful and balanced futures within and beyond educational landscapes.