First-Year College Students' Time Use and Self-Regulation

Vocabulary terms and definitions based on the research article regarding first-year college students' time use, self-regulation, and academic performance.

Self-regulated learning

A process critical for college success involving setting goals, strategic planning, using strategies, monitoring performance, and reflecting to balance learning with life activities.

Forethought phase

The first phase of self-regulated learning where students set academic goals and expectations.

Performance phase

The second phase of self-regulated learning during which students implement strategies and monitor their learning progress.

Self-evaluation or reflection phase

The third phase of self-regulated learning where students use self-monitored outcomes to evaluate strategy effectiveness and adjust future forethought.

Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ)

A validated assessment tool used to measure the extent to which students engage in self-regulated learning activities and meta-cognitive strategies.

Academic Activities (Composite)

A combined measure of time spent studying, doing homework, and meeting with instructors.

Passive Leisure Activities (Composite)

A combined measure of time spent watching TV and playing video or computer games.

Socializing Activities (Composite)

A combined measure of time spent socializing with friends and partying.

Obligatory Activities (Composite)

A combination of time spent exercising, working for pay, volunteering, student clubs, and household/child care duties.

Campus-centered students

Students who live on campus, study often, work less at off-campus jobs, and typically achieve higher GPAs.

Work-centered students

Students who spend most of their time away from campus pursuing work, generally resulting in lower GPAs.

Scholarly uses of time

A conceptual dimension of time use focusing on preparing for class and studying.

Active uses of time

A conceptual dimension of time use including exercise, socializing, student clubs, and volunteering.

Connecting uses of time

Time spent in activities that bridge different roles, such as student clubs or working for pay.

Separating uses of time

Time use dedicated to activities outside of the student role, such as religious activities or family.

Time use accuracy

The deviation of a student's actual weekly hours spent on an activity from their originally planned hours.

Time use revision

The quantified adjustment calculated as the difference between actual time spent in the first semester and newly planned hours for the second semester.

Academic delay-of-gratification

The tendency to pursue long-term academic goals over immediately available rewards, such as parties or short-term lucrative jobs.

Target GPA

A long-term performance goal set by a student representing the grade point average they intend to achieve.

Self-efficacy

The belief that one possesses the specific skills required to achieve a suitable level of performance, which standardizes achievement.

Procrastination

A failure to self-regulate characterized by pursuing immediately available rewards and experiencing difficulties with work quality and consistency.