The article is devoted to the problem of the low level of academic activity of students of higher educational institutions. Based on the analysis of literary sources, the definition of academic activity of students is concretized, which is presented as an integrative quality of personality. This quality manifests itself in awareness, motivated and effective activity, and also helps the student to go beyond the educational program. The components that form the student's academic activity are highlighted and their characteristics are given, as well as the relationship and influence. It also examines the modern view of the educational environment in the context of digital transformation. The transition from the classical representation of the educational environment to the digital one is analyzed, as well as the possible risks that are formed by digital interaction (plagiarism when writing various types of work, the use of artificial intelligence when performing practical tasks, communication, etc.). The need to develop ethical standards of behavior in the digital educational environment is emphasized. The interrelation of three main components of the educational process in higher education institutions was investigated, namely, the academic activity of students, the educational environment, and the teacher. It is proved that the dynamic interaction of these elements determines the effectiveness of learning. A triadic model with different accents is proposed. The conclusion is reasoned about the importance of an integrated approach to the design of system components, which in the long run improves the quality of education.