Explaining the Role of Self-Regulated Learning in Predicting Academic Achievement and Motivational Persistence in Modern Educational Systems

Abstract

In contemporary educational systems, sustainable academic success increasingly depends on students’ ability to actively manage their own learning processes. Self-regulated learning, a core construct in educational psychology, refers to a set of cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and behavioral processes through which learners set learning goals, select and implement appropriate strategies, monitor their progress, and evaluate outcomes. This study aims to explain the role of self-regulated learning in predicting academic achievement and motivational persistence among students within modern educational frameworks. The research examines the principal components of self-regulated learning, including goal setting, planning, cognitive strategies, self-monitoring, self-evaluation, and emotional regulation, and analyzes their relationships with indicators of academic achievement and sustained motivation. The findings indicate that students with higher levels of self-regulated learning demonstrate superior academic performance and exhibit greater motivational persistence when confronting educational challenges. Moreover, self-regulated learning plays a significant mediating role by enhancing perceived competence, strengthening academic self-efficacy, and increasing cognitive engagement, thereby sustaining academic effort over time. The analysis further reveals that modern learning environments—particularly those enriched by interactive technologies and flexible instructional designs—provide optimal conditions for the development of self-regulated learning skills. The study emphasizes the importance of designing instructional programs that systematically cultivate self-regulated learning and equipping teachers with effective strategies to foster these competencies. Practical implications are offered for educational policymakers and curriculum developers seeking to enhance learning outcomes.