College Students' Perspectives on How Emotions Affect their Learning Motivation and Academic Performance

This study aimed to investigate types of emotional experiences that college students undergo, particularly those affecting learning motivation and academic performance. To this end, six college students residing in Seoul, South Korea participated in a series of 'focus-group interview (FGI)' sessions in which in-depths discussions took place. The researcher attempted to draw the participant students' opinions and ideas as they made interactions with each other. Three participants were placed in each of two groups, and each group had approximately 90-minutes-long sessions. The results showed that positive emotions, such as joy and enthusiasm, can increase learning motivation and academic achievement, while negative emotions such as anxiety and stress can hinder them. The findings also highlight that students actively employ coping strategies to manage negative emotions. Moreover, the study underscores students' desire for improved emotional support from instructors, indicating a gap between their expectations and the actual emotional care provided in educational settings. Relevant issues are discussed for future suggestions.