The high attrition rate of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) majors is a main concern in education. A number of factors may account for students' departure, among which preparedness for STEM learning in college is a crucial determinant. Extensive work has been done to enhance students' preparedness through efforts such as…

For many first-generation college students (FGCS), college success has not kept pace with college access. Because many students' struggles can be traced to deficits in self-regulated learning (SRL) processes, the purpose of this study was to explore the SRL skills of FGCS. We analyzed the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory, 2nd Edition…

We conducted 2 studies to determine whether the relationship between depressive symptomatology and college GPA is mediated by effort regulation and to understand how depressive symptomatology upon entry to college affects students' adjustment and academic achievement later in the first year of college. In Study 1, we found that the relationship…

Interventions focused on bolstering college student study skills--that is, techniques and strategies necessary to prepare for and complete schoolwork and tests (Proctor, Prevatt, Adams, Reaser, & Petscher, 2006; Richardson, Robnolt, & Rhodes, 2010)--have been implemented in a variety of ways, including as part of summer bridge programs,…

Higher levels of mental skill use and knowledge have been consistently associated with enhanced performances in athletic settings (e.g., Greenleaf, Gould & Dieffenbach, 2001; Hatzigeorgiadis, Zourbanos, Galanis, & Theodorakis, 2011; Weinberg, 2008). More specifically, exceptional athletic performances have been linked to the practice and…

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of teaching students the use of specific learning and motivation strategies and substrategies to meet the cognitive and motivational demands of college. Findings indicate that training in learning and motivation strategy use contributed to GPA improvement. (Contains 17 references.) (GCP)

Investigated learning style changes of college business students over their college careers. Undergraduate business students (n=178) from two universities completed 1985 Learning Style Inventory in fall semesters of their sophomore, junior, and senior years. Results offered mixed support for contention that learning styles are likely to change…

Examines the predictive power of expectancy success and task value for self-regulated strategy use (SRSU) using Motivational Strategies for Learning Questionnaire scores from 216 undergraduates. Canonical Correlation analysis revealed expectancy to be a moderate predictor, while value shared 49% of its variation with SRSU. (Contains 28 references…

Analyzes strategies that successful minority students employ to overcome barriers to academic success. Uses an expertise model of successful college students on one campus so as to identify specific knowledge and actions that effective minority students employ. Describes various barriers students face and describes implications. (RJM)

Examined learning approaches and motives of college students (N=1,119) and explored relationship among learning approaches, motives, and grade point average. Found significant differences between men and women on 16 of 26 subscales from 3 questionnaires assessing learning approaches and motives. Findings suggest that male students may be at…

Student-affairs graduate students (N=70) adopted a "voice," other than their own, for a semester. Journal entries reveal steps the students took in learning to see through the eyes of individuals different from themselves. Factors contributing to powerful transformational outcomes for diversity encounters are indicated. (EMK)

Nursing students (n=203) were provided with conventional study-skill guidelines, tutoring, and advisement assistance. An experimental group was also provided homework prescriptions based on their identified learning-style preferences. Students in experimental group achieved higher science grades; grade point averages, curiosity about science…

Low-achieving college students (N=94) evidenced less use of self-regulating strategies and a stronger relationship of self-regulated strategy use to positive motivational orientation than high-achieving students (N=49). Samples were predominantly white and female. Encouraging the use of these strategies may improve low achievers' academic…

Reports on a study of college students (N=276) that tested a model to identify a goodness of fit between students and educational environments. Findings indicate the importance of motivating students to engage in reciprocal relationships with their learning environments to enhance human capital skills. (RJM)

Examined developmental behaviors in college seniors having made a career choice and compared these with behaviors of college seniors undecided about careers. Results suggest a relationship between student developmental tasks and career decisions. Career decisions were unrelated to psychological distress and the development of interpersonal…