Self-Efficacy: What and How

The two pillars of one’s concept of SELF are self-esteem and self-efficacy.  Self-esteem is the regard or respect that a person has for him or herself.  While self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to complete some specific goal or task.  Both a person’s self-esteem and self-efficacy vary in relation to different areas of his or her life. A student may have high self-esteem and self-efficacy while in high school but attend college and see their self-efficacy significantly decrease.  One of the reasons many students do not do well in college is because they become discouraged and no longer believe in their academic abilities in a new setting.   Developing high self-efficacy is a vital component of any student’s success in college.

Self-efficacy in academics means a student has confidence in his or her ability to learn course material. The student is self-assured that he or she knows the right strategies to understand course material, take notes, study for tests, complete reading and/or writing assignments, and manage his or her time effectively both in and out of class. 

A student with high self-efficacy in regards to his or her academic abilities is able to evaluate accurately his or her performance so that he or she can experience self-improvement.  The student is not too critical or overly optimistic about his or her abilities.  Instead, the student is realistic in how examine his or herself and use the knowledge he or she gains from that self-examination to adjust and improve his or her study strategies. 

When a student is willing to take risks by trying new study strategies and techniques, he or she is exhibiting high academic self-efficacy.  By recognizing that more effective methods to study for a test, take notes, read college textbooks, or organize and prioritize tasks may exist, a student shows they are not fearful trying new avenues of study and they are not afraid of failure or mistakes; but rather, he or she is willing to grow as a learner.

Finally, a student with high self-efficacy feels a sense of accomplishment since he or she is willing to take risks and be self-reflective they take pride in their successes AND failures.  The student sees mistakes as opportunities for improvement. 

According to Monica Frank in her article, “The Pillars of Self-Concept: Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy,” a student can start to develop high self-efficacy by adhering to the following four suggestions:

1. Self-efficacy is improved when a student takes the effort to advance his or her study skill set.  Do not be convinced that there is only one way of studying or that past study methods are the only ones available.  Improve your belief in your ability to succeed in the classroom by being open to and trying new study techniques and strategies. 
2. Self-efficacy is cultivated through modeling.  A student who observes other students who are successful and is willing to model his or her behavior after those successful students will experience success.  So find an academic mentor to model. 
3. Self-efficacy improves for a student when he or she learns to focus on specifics.  Ask for honest specific feedback from peers and instructors.  Do not just accept a vague or generic comment, instead work to get a more detailed response and to get as much explicit information so you can improve your study habits.
4. Self-efficacy is a habit or skill that gets better with reinforcement.  The more you practice behaviors that will improve your self-efficacy, the better you get at it.  The better you get, be sure to give yourself praise to boost your self-confidence. 

Please remember, as a college student, one’s belief in one’s academic abilities will be tested.  However, by following the suggestions above and by cultivating habits of self-efficacy a students can set him or herself up for college success.  

Sources:

Bandura, Albert. “Perceived Self-Efficacy in Cognitive Development and Functioning.” Educational Psychologist, 28 (2): 117-148. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. 

Baxter Magolda, and Marcia B. “Building Learning Partnerships.”Change 44.1 (2012): 32-38. Education Research Complete. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.

Hsieh, Peggy (Pei-Hsuan), Jeremy R. Sullivan, and Norma S. Guerra. “A Closer Look At College Students: Self-Efficacy And Goal Orientation.” Journal Of Advanced Academics 18.3 (2007): 454-476. Education Research Complete. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.

Frank, Monica, PhD. “The Pillars of the Self-Concept: Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy.” Excel at Life, 2011 Web. 26 Feb. 2014.http://www.excelatlife.com/articles/selfesteem.htm