The impact of reasons for attending university on academic resourcefulness and adjustment

Abstract

It is a well-known phenomenon that generally resourceful students are more likely to employ specific self-control skills, such as academic resourcefulness, to overcome stressors in their life, and as a result, are more likely to be better adjusted, to receive higher grades, and to remain in university than their less resourceful counterparts. To what extent the reasons students attend university further explains academic resourcefulness and why some students fail to persevere with academic challenges were examined in this study. A sample of 481 undergraduate students completed scales assessing general and academic resourcefulness, academic self-efficacy, explanatory style, university adaptation, and reasons for attending university. Students were also asked questions concerning retention, and expected and past grade performance. The results showed that students attending university for more internal reasons and less so to please others and to delay responsibilities uniquely contributed to higher levels of academic resourcefulness. Insight as to why some students may attribute academic failure to lack of effort and personal ability, be less adjusted, decide to leave university, and be expecting and attaining lower grades is provided.