Predictors of University Students' Academic Achievement: A Prospective Study

Abstract

motivational and behavioural predictors of two measures of
university students' academic achievement (grade point
average and student efficacy status), after controlling for
dispositional variables and student adjustment at the
beginning of college. A representative sample of 250
undergraduate students was followed over a period of 3
years. Hierarchical regression analysis and logistic regression
analysis were conducted to check the contribution of the
included variables. The hypothesized significant role of
cognitive, behavioural and motivational factors in students'
academic achievement has been confirmed, with the
automatic thoughts related to the fear of disappointing
parents and time and study environment management skills
as the most pronounced predictors for both criteria.
Outcome expectation is a significant predictor of the
students' efficacy status only, while action control beliefs and
goal orientations (performance and work avoidance) are
significant predictors only of the GPA. In conclusion, the
results suggest that, besides personality, other more
manageable variables play an even more significant role in
university students' academic achievement.