Having a student who is a “workaholic” sounds like a dream come true. Is it possible, though, to have a student who is too focused on academics? The short answer is an emphatic “Yes.”
There are two primary reasons to try to balance academic work with other activities: pragmatism and enjoyment of life. On the issue of pragmatism, the fact is that admission to competitive programs at every educational level favors people who are well-balanced over those who are more one dimensional. For two applicants to medical school with the same grades and MCAT scores, the one who has the more diverse hobbies, interests, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work will have a better chance of acceptance into the program than one who has focused exclusively on academics.
As to the second reason, enjoyment of life, this refers to the fact that someone who is over-focused on academics to the exclusion of an active social life, volunteer work and extracurricular activities, generally speaking, will not live as fulfilling and happy a life as someone who is more well-balanced. Forging strong relationships with others and having hobbies and interests one is passionate about are key elements to a happy life. What is the value of a perfect 4.0 GPA if it is achieved at the cost of quality relationships and a happy life? As the Good Book says, “There is an appointed time for everything” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). So it is with academics and the rest of life.
Thus, we see that there are both pragmatic and quality of life reasons to develop relationships and interests outside of the strict scope of academia. Even in the school setting, in comparison to the work setting where the workaholic syndrome is well recognized, the “workaholic” phenomenon can be a real cause for concern. If your student seems to fit this profile, sit down ands talk to them and communicate your concerns. See if they would be interested in starting some new extracurricular activities, such as taking up a new sport or instrument, joining some clubs such as Outward Bound, doing volunteer work for a service organization such as Doctors without Borders or Habitat for Humanity, joining church-related youth groups, or the like. Encourage him to spend time with appropriate friends, go to age-appropriate movies, have supervised sleepovers, go out to appropriate entertainment venues, and so on. It may sound a little funny to encourage your straight-A student to pursue such activities, but for individuals who are over-focused on academia to the exclusion of other things, this may be a good idea.
Success in school does not exist in isolation from happiness in life. Forming a well-balanced, psychologically integrated individual is certainly no less important than attaining a 4.0 GPA and a perfect 2400 SAT score. Everything comes down to finding a happy medium for a well balanced life. The Good Book got it right: there is a time for all things.