I don't think this feedback loop is working well for everybody. I know many people, including myself, who don't get the urge to drink until they're severely dehydrated, so they have to force themselfs to drink even in the absence of thirst.
It is also well known that it gets worse with age - fainting due to dehydration is a common occurence with the elderly.
Paying attention to your body is a skill. Alot of people do have some degree of innate proficiency at it, but it is something to be done deliberately and practiced, and with enough deliberate practice you will eventually do it automatically with high mastery. You're still a child, so you have plenty of time to develop this skill :)
May I make a suggestion? Instead of just water breaks... take breaks. Get up, stretch your arms and hands, your neck and back. Walk around for a few minutes, even just in place. Drink your water.
I agree. Personally if I'm hacking away at something I tend to forget about the world for hours, and it is frustrating to later realise that I couldn't do the least for my health ie : drinking sufficient water.
Nitpicking obviously, but isn't it "too late" if you're drinking when you feel thirsty (it means you're already dehydrated)? Iirc you should be drinking before you feel thirsty.
It is also well known that it gets worse with age - fainting due to dehydration is a common occurence with the elderly.