The festive season recently revealed a disturbing reality: many children are still drowning in excessive tutoring, studying late into the evening, sometimes until 2:00 AM, even during holidays. When questioning the parents, I found their reasoning rooted in blind, crippling fear: The teacher will be upset; everyone else is doing it; my child won’t graduate or get into university.
I would never allow my children to engage in such excessive academic cramming, and here is why that extreme behavior is now obsolete and counterproductive:
I. The myth of academic scarcity
The primary driver of the cramming cycle—the fear of not graduating high school or not getting into any university—is statistically unfounded:
- Graduation assurance: With current standardized testing and annual statistics, the probability of failing high school is extremely low, particularly in urban areas (graduation rates are consistently above 90−95%).
- University access: Entry into any university is no longer difficult due to the sheer number of higher education institutions available. Only a handful of elite universities (Foreign Trade, Polytechnic) require top scores.
Furthermore, the currency of the entrance exam is quickly devaluing. University admissions criteria are rapidly shifting from pure scores to holistic factors—extracurriculars, community work, leadership skills, and athletic achievement—mirroring global best practices. Universities want well-rounded students who demonstrate a higher statistical probability of success in life and work.
II. The sports and soft skills advantage
The biggest competitive edge today lies not in achieving a 9.5 GPA, but in demonstrating discipline, time management, and social capital.
- Time management mastery: I know a young student who received a golf scholarship to a university in the U.S. To maintain her scholarship, she had to maintain a 3.0 GPA while training and competing frequently for the university team. This forced her to operate at double speed, proving exceptional time management skills.
- Social capital: Students who play sports are more competitive and exhibit higher self-improvement drive. Students who possess strong soft skills, leadership abilities, and social competence are proven to be better at teamwork and problem-solving in an organization.
These students will undoubtedly succeed and go further than those who only study.
III. The cost of cram culture: A life inventory
The single most critical reason to stop the cramming cycle is the sacrifice of physical and social development. The high school years are the last opportunity for students to acquire these foundational life skills before the pressures of university and career begin.
Consider this inventory of two hypothetical graduates:
| Metric | The well-rounded student (sports, arts, social) | The study-only student (cram culture) |
| Health & resilience | Excellent health; knows how to manage stress and decompress through exercise. Height/Physique Advantage (due to sufficient sleep and nutrition). | Average health; doesn’t know how to exercise or manage stress. Likely sleep-deprived and physically small/slight. |
| Networking & confidence | Knows how to dress, communicate clearly, and network effectively (music, sports). High social capital. | Is awkward in social settings; lacks confidence when meeting new people. Does not possess networking skills. |
| Success probability | High probability of success in career and relationships (higher confidence, better networking). | Lower probability of success; often starts work with a skills deficit despite good grades. |
Our children must learn to sing, dance, cook, play basketball, read great works, initiate conversations, and resolve conflict. The parent who sacrifices these developmental years for meaningless equations is sacrificing their child’s long-term success.
IV. Choose the long game
The decision to over-schedule our children often stems from a parental desire for self-validation (“pride”) or an irrational fear of the past. But this sacrifice is paid for with the child’s sleep deprivation, stress, and lack of comprehensive skill development.
- For confidence: Let your child be well-rounded, not just book-smart.
- For health: Ensure they have sufficient sleep, good nutrition, and adequate time for physical activity.
Let us have the courage to overcome our unreasonable fears. Let our children “study less” and “play more”—it is the best investment for their success.
