Time diary and questionnaire assessment of factors associated with academic and personal success among university undergraduates.
OBJECTIVE
A sample of 231 students attending a private liberal arts university in central Alberta, Canada, completed a 5-day time diary and a 71-item questionnaire assessing the influence of personal, cognitive, and attitudinal factors on success.


METHODS
The authors used 3 success measures: cumulative grade point average (GPA), Personal Success--each participant's rating of congruence between stated goals and progress toward those goals--and Total Success--a measure that weighted GPA and Personal Success equally.


RESULTS
The greatest predictors of GPA were time-management skills, intelligence, time spent studying, computer ownership, less time spent in passive leisure, and a healthy diet. Predictors of Personal Success scores were clearly defined goals, overall health, personal spirituality, and time-management skills. Predictors of Total Success scores were clearly defined goals, time-management skills, less time spent in passive leisure, healthy diet, waking up early, computer ownership, and less time spent sleeping.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest alternatives to traditional predictors of academic success.
George
Darren
D
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Canadian University College, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. dgeorge@cauc.ca
Dixon
Sinikka
S
Stansal
Emory
E
Gelb
Shannon Lund
SL
Pheri
Tabitha
T
D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D012890:Sleep; D029181:Spirituality; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017748:Time Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014495:Universities