A1 Journal article (refereed)
University Students’ Approaches to Making the Most of Their Study Time (2023)

Kosonen, T., Annala, J., Penttinen, L., & Mäkinen, M. (2023). University Students’ Approaches to Making the Most of Their Study Time. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 67(3), 377-390. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2021.2021440

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kosonen, Toni; Annala, Johanna; Penttinen, Leena; Mäkinen, Marita

Journal or series: Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research

ISSN: 0031-3831

eISSN: 1470-1170

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 08/01/2022

Volume: 67

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 377-390

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2021.2021440

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79329

Abstract

This article explores university students’ approaches to and positions with regard to making the most of their study time. The article discusses how various normative societal expectations around students’ use and management of time feature in their talk about how they organise their everyday lives. The research is based on thematic interviews (n = 28) that focused in detail on students’ day-to-day activities that were generated with students from two sets of generalist study fields in three regional Finnish universities. The results of a discursive analysis of students’ positionings reveal three discursive positions that represent of a variety in students’ approaches to make sense of the temporal organisation of their everyday lives as students. The identified discursive positions draw on broader societal discourses and ideals about fast completion of studies, significance of academic immersion in becoming an expert, and optimising one’s time use to enhance employability.

Keywords: study; studies in an institution of higher education; students; time use; time management; temporality; focused interviews; discourse research

Free keywords: university students; student life; temporality; study time; discursive positions

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 2