ERIC Number: EJ1012515
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0307-5079
EISSN: N/A
The Key to Successful Achievement as an Undergraduate Student: Confidence and Realistic Expectations?
Nicholson, Laura; Putwain, David; Connors, Liz; Hornby-Atkinson, Pat
Studies in Higher Education, v38 n2 p285-298 2013
This study examined how expectations of independent study and academic behavioural confidence predicted end-of-semester marks in a sample of undergraduate students. Students' expectations and academic behavioural confidence were measured near the beginning of the semester, and academic performance was taken from aggregated end-of-semester marks. Results suggested that a realistic expectation of undergraduate study, where the student took responsibility for their own learning, predicted higher end-of-semester marks. Students who were confident in their ability to attain high grades and attend taught sessions also performed better in their end-of-semester marks. Confidence in attending taught sessions also buffered against the negative impact of holding an unrealistic expectation of undergraduate study. These findings suggest that measures taken to encourage a realistic expectation of the nature of undergraduate study and boost academic behavioural confidence may benefit students' performance at university. (Contains 3 tables and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Self Concept, Self Esteem, Grades (Scholastic), Academic Achievement, Expectation, Student Attitudes, Factor Analysis, Correlation, Reliability, Tables (Data), Teacher Responsibility, Attendance, Student Responsibility, Likert Scales, Questionnaires, Measures (Individuals), Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A