About this guide

As the classroom becomes more dynamic, cultivating student independence and resilience is more crucial than ever. While many skills contribute to students’ success, self-regulation and self-efficacy go hand in hand in supporting both academic success and personal growth. This blog will unpack these skills and explore practical strategies for educators to help their students develop these necessary skills. 

Understanding self-regulation and self-efficacy

The physical content and skills students learn in lessons are only part of a much larger learning experience. Students need to have strong self-regulation and efficacy skills to interact positively and successfully in the classroom. 

Self-regulated learning has been discussed and debated in educational psychology for many years, and a simple definition can be difficult to pen. What is clear is that self-regulated learning is a goal-driven process and involves skills, such as goal setting, reflection and self-management (Victorian Government, 2025). Self-regulated learners know their strengths and weaknesses, what learning strategies they enjoy and can use effectively, and what motivates (or demotivates) them (Boekarts and Corno, 2005). 

On the other hand, self-efficacy is a student’s belief in their ability to succeed (Artino, 2012). A student's self-efficacy is shaped by past successes or failures, encouragement and feedback they receive from trusted adults and the role models they have (Artino, 2012). Students with strong self-efficacy will approach learning experiences with confidence and grit. In contrast, low self-efficacy students may actively avoid challenging tasks and struggle to maintain consistent focus and motivation. 

While the two notions are distinct, they work together closely throughout the learning journey. By improving one skill, the other can also improve. For example, self-regulated learning can contribute to the development of self-efficacy by helping students break large, monumental tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, helping them to overcome obstacles. Here, they may gain quick wins, which will boost their confidence. Simply put, the interaction of these two skills creates a positive feedback loop for students that ultimately adds to continued progress. 

Supporting self-regulation 

Goal setting

A practical and powerful way to develop student self-regulation is to encourage goal setting. These goals can range in focus, from academic to personal and will be different depending on the student's current needs. While pastoral care or home room is an excellent opportunity for goal setting, it can also occur within the classroom. For example, in Chemistry, a personal goal may be remembering their pencil case or in History, it could be improving their source analysis. 

It is important to ensure that students' goals are clear and attainable to support effective goal-setting. Many teachers are familiar with the SMART Goals framework, a strategy that helps students create Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound goals.

No matter what department or year group you teach, setting SMART goals ensures that your learners are in the best position to improve their academic performance. 

Ready to help your students set SMART goals? Use our free SMART goals worksheet in conjunction with the Atomi Setting Goals video series to prepare them for success. 

Atomi tip → Once students set goals, it is important to revisit them periodically. This will ensure they are still relevant and achievable for students and encourage self-reflection. Take a look at our Reviewing your goals worksheet to support the process. 

Teach time management 

Time management is a critical skill, not only for fostering self-regulation but also for supporting students beyond their school years. Each teacher may approach this differently, depending on the tools they use to manage their time. Tools can range from planners and calendars to digital apps; each student will have their preferences. 

However, modelling these strategies can help students learn how to plan their time effectively and understand the necessary steps involved. It may seem simple, but it's something we often overlook. Atomi provides a range of tools to help students manage their time. 

• Atomi’s video series on completing assignments walks students through how to prepare for upcoming tasks and manage competing deadlines appropriately. A great way to introduce this is by modelling the process to the whole class, helping students develop the skills they need to do it independently.

Log in to your Atomi account or sign up for a free trial to gain access to the series. 

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• Atomi provides a range of videos and supporting templates on how to appropriately plan a day, week, and term for students. Here, learners can select the approach that works best for them. Introducing this concept early can become second nature by the time they reach their senior years.

Atomi tip → For your senior students, look out for our 2025 study planners which will be released on the 20th August. They take the guesswork out of exam prep and provide a syllabus-specific study plan for your students six-week countdown to crunch time.

Encourage self-monitoring techniques 

While teachers may need to model key self-regulation strategies for students, it’s important to gradually reduce support and introduce self-monitoring techniques. This involves students tracking their progress and behaviours, both positive and negative. In doing so, teachers can help nurture student independence and accountability.

For academic goals, Atomi provides students with strength scores that highlight areas for improvement. This places the responsibility on students to address areas of concern in their own time and manage competing subject priorities. If you are looking for more templates and worksheets that support self-monitoring techniques, check these out: 

• Feedback checklist
• Past paper checklist
• Exam mistakes reviewer 

Supporting self-efficacy

Strive for mastery 

Creating a mastery experience for students is a powerful tool to build self-efficacy. These experiences involve students facing an appropriate challenge that is still within their skill level. By ensuring tasks challenge students appropriately, you allow learners the opportunity to see their growth and succeed. This will impact their belief system and boost their confidence. 

Differentiation is a powerful instructional strategy that empowers teachers to meet the diverse needs of their students by offering tasks at varying levels of difficulty. With the support of digital tools, this process becomes far more efficient and less stressful, allowing educators to tailor learning experiences without being overwhelmed by planning or logistics. Atomi’s progress reports enable teachers to see streamlined, actionable data within seconds. From here, educators can curate learning tasks for students that challenge them and focus on their strengths and weaknesses. 

Atomi tip → Looking for more on creating meaningful mastery within your classroom, check out our Mastery in motion blog. 

Keep it positive 

Consistent positive feedback is critical in fostering self-efficacy. Students who hear positive feedback from trusted people, like teachers, peers or parents, develop confidence in their abilities. Feedback should be specific and focus on students' efforts. This is easier said than done with the current time constraints teachers face. 

While in-person feedback is invaluable, leaning on digital tools to provide consistent praise can be helpful in building self-efficacy for learners. Extended response questions on the Atomi platform receive comprehensive feedback broken into two clear sections:

• What they did well: Students will receive scaffolded feedback aligned with the syllabus.

• How they can improve: Every piece of feedback includes actionable tips to improve their marks.

This gives students meaningful feedback that breaks down answers to support learning and growth.

Promote social modelling 

Peer learning is a powerful tool as students gain so much from seeing others succeed, particularly when those peers are in a similar position. Creating group work opportunities or providing a platform for students to share success stories can help model how overcoming challenges is possible. If you are looking to set up some easy peer mentoring opportunities, check out some of Atomi’s peer support documents:

• Peer evaluation template
• Peer Feedback card 

Challenges you may face

It’s not uncommon for teenagers to respond to the development of these skills with apathy. Factors such as stress, distractions, or the anxiety of facing a new challenge can contribute to this response. To overcome this, start small and integrate these skills into your daily routines without making a big production. The goal is to make self-regulation and self-efficacy feel natural, unlike an extra lesson or added pressure. Even better, integrating technology like Atomi creates opportunities for students to develop these skills so naturally that they begin to see them as part of who they are and how they learn, often without even realising it