The Mediating Effects of Self-Regulated Learning Strategies in the Relationship between Mindsets and Adaptation to College Among Chinese International Students

In recent years, the number of foreign students in Korea has been rising again after a drop during COVID-19. These students often face challenges like academic and social difficulties, social isolation, and adjusting to new environments. This study aims to comprehensively understand the relationships among Chinese international students' mindsets, self-regulated learning strategies, and college life adaptation, and to analyze the role of self-regulated learning strategies in the relationship between mindsets and college life adaptation. Our findings show that firstly, a growth mindset predicts better use of self-regulated learning strategies, while a fixed mindset predicts poorer use. Secondly, both mindsets and self-regulated learning strategies influence academic, social, and emotional adaptation. Thirdly, self-regulated learning strategies mediate the effects of both growth and fixed mindsets on different aspects of adaptation, showing significant mediating effects in several relationships. The study highlights the importance of fostering a growth mindset and effective self-regulated learning strategies to aid international students in adjusting to university life.