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Original Article

Mind the Gap!

Unmet Time Schedules Predict University Students’ Negative Affect During the Examination Phase

Published Online:May 26, 2021https://doi.org/10.1026/0049-8637/a000218

Abstract

Abstract. The goal of this study was to investigate the dynamic interplay of affect and time investment during exam preparation using daily learning diaries. University students (N = 56) reported a simultaneous increase in negative affect as well as intended and actual time investment over the course of the survey period (30 days). Cramming of study time partially accounted for the increase in negative affect. More planning strategies were associated with lower negative and more positive affect. Unmet time schedules predicted higher negative and lower positive affect. Results further revealed compensatory feedback loops: Higher negative affect in the evening predicted higher intended time investment on the next morning, but without improvements in planning strategies. Results suggest that unmet time schedules could contribute to the increase in negative affect during exam preparation. Interventions should promote students’ planning to reduce the difference between intended and actual time investment.


Verfehlte Zeitpläne sagen negativen Affekt Studierender während der Prüfungsphase vorher

Zusammenfassung. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde das dynamische Zusammenspiel zwischen Affekt und Zeitinvestment während der Prüfungsphase untersucht. Studierende (N = 56) füllten täglich Lerntagebücher aus und berichteten eine gleichzeitige Zunahme von negativem Affekt, geplantem Zeitinvestment und tatsächlicher Lernzeit über den Erhebungszeitraum (30 Tage). Der Anstieg des negativen Affekts konnte teilweise durch den Anstieg in der Lernzeit zu Semesterende erklärt werden. Bessere Planungsstrategien waren mit geringerem negativem und höherem positivem Affekt assoziiert. Verfehlte Zeitpläne sagten einen höheren negativen und geringeren positiven Affekt voraus. Die Ergebnisse zeigten zudem kompensatorische Feedbackschleifen: Negativer Affekt am Abend sagte ein höheres geplantes Zeitinvestment am nächsten Morgen vorher, jedoch ohne Verbesserungen der Planungsstrategien. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass verfehlte Zeitpläne zum Anstieg des negativen Affekts während der Prüfungsvorbereitung beitragen könnten. Interventionen sollten Planungsstrategien fördern, um Studierende darin zu unterstützen, die Differenz zwischen geplanter und echter Lernzeit zu reduzieren.

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