The Use of Time among College Students\ A U.S. – China Comparison

Abstract

Chinese students are generally known to be working harder, spending more time on academic
activities and having stronger commitment to educational goals than their American
counterparts. Confucian culture of learning, coupled with social and economic pressures,
compel Chinese youths to place much greater emphasis on educational attainment. Drawn
on survey data gathered from university students in both the USA and China, this study
explores how study habits formed during school years affect time allocation decisions made
by university students. We use samples of Shanghai and NYC college students to investigate
young adults’ perceptions and attitudes toward the allocation of time between independent
academic activities (studying and reading) and non-study activities (social networking, video
gaming, and TV watching). The results appear to support claims that Chinese university
students spend a greater time on independent academic activities than their US counterparts.