Grit, Self-Esteem, Learning Strategies and Attitudes and Estimated and Achieved Course Grades among College Students

Being aware and accurate of how one will perform in a college class may relate to personal qualities, how one feels about oneself, learning strategies, and attitudes towards learning. In this study, 302 undergraduate students completed a questionnaire in the first 2 weeks of the semester, which included estimated grade in a particular class and measures of grit, self-esteem, learning strategies, and attitudes towards lifelong learning. Perseverance of effort, a component of grit, and self-esteem predicted estimated grade. There were no significant predictors of achieved final grade. Self-esteem, attitudes towards lifelong learning and general strategies for learning predicted perseverance of effort. Self-esteem and general strategies for learning predicted consistency of interest, another component of grit. For college students, grit may still be in flux through their experiences learning and achieving in college.