News
07.04.2025
WELT-Interview: Self-regulation – The Super Power of Good Pupils
Self-regulation is a key factor for success at school. In this interview (in German), Professor Ulrich Trautwein explains what self-regulation is and how parents and teachers can promote this ability.
This article is only available in German.
Restless classrooms, procrastinating on their phones — sometimes, kids get in the way of their own learning.
That’s why the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina has highlighted self-regulation as a key factor for success in school. The term may sound technical, but it simply refers to the ability to manage one’s thoughts, behavior, and emotions in a way that helps achieve personal goals.
In an interview with WELT, Professor Ulrich Trautwein explains what self-regulation looks like in students and how it can be nurtured in children and teens. He puts it this way:
“Students with strong self-regulation, for example, are able to complete their homework quickly and thoroughly — they don’t procrastinate. They also tend to set ambitious goals and are more likely to pursue them with motivation, persistence, and effective learning strategies. On the flip side, it’s a warning sign when homework always gets pushed to late Sunday nights and ends up being done under pressure. Struggling from time to time is completely normal — it’s part of the learning process. But it becomes a real issue when there’s no sign of progress.”
He places particular emphasis on the role of teachers: Good teaching naturally fosters self-regulation skills.
Effective teaching is clearly structured, engages students intellectually, and offers constructive support.
Full Article
Leopoldina Position Paper
In 2024, experts from the Leopoldina — including Professor Trautwein — published a position paper outlining key challenges in the education system and offering a clear solution: strengthening students’ self-regulation skills must become a guiding principle in education policy.
This call to action by the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina attracted significant public and political attention last year.
Further Information
Press Contact
Rebecca Beiter
Rebecca.Beiter@uni-tuebingen.de