This study examines how time management influences academic self-efficacy among Taiwanese college students, focusing on the mediating roles of goal setting and perceived control of time. Data from 488 participants, analyzed using partial least squares, indicate that while time management directly enhances academic self-efficacy, its effects are largely mediated. Goal setting helps students prioritize tasks and track progress, while perceived control of time promotes autonomy and reduces stress, which together enhance self-efficacy. A chained mediation analysis underscores the interplay between these factors and highlights their collective role in translating time management into greater academic self-efficacy. These findings suggest practical strategies for improving student outcomes through targeted interventions in Taiwan’s competitive higher education environment.
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