Psychological and lifestyle markers of academic performance among first-year university students

Academic performance is crucial for university students’ well-being. There are many factors that affect university students’ academic performance, and no single factor can explain it all. Thus, this study aimed to comprehensively examine the psychological and lifestyle factors influencing university students’ academic performance. This cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2023. A total of 270 first-year students (mean age: 18.73 ± 0.70 years; 87 male and 183 female) participated in the study. The measurements included exercise participation, dietary habits, sleep habits, screen time, depression, academic motivation, class motivation, and academic performance (class attendance and written exam score). Higher class motivation predicted lower absenteeism from class and higher written exam score (β = −0.30, p < 0.001; β = 0.18, p = 0.004). In the subgroup analysis, which was based on class motivation, the high class motivation group showed significantly higher participation of flexibility exercise (p = 0.01), subjective sleep quality (p = 0.04), academic motivation (p < 0.001), and written exam score (p < 0.001), and a lower reluctance to engage in exercise (p = 0.004), breakfast skipping (p < 0.001), screen time (p = 0.01), depression (p = 0.002), and absent count from class (p < 0.001) than the low class motivation group. Class motivation could be a key marker of academic performance and is influenced by a wide range of lifestyle elements including exercise, diet, sleep habits, and screen time. This suggests markers and approaches for early intervention for students who are struggling academically.