Abstract
This study explores the impact of mental fatigue, health status, and chronic conditions on college students' grade expectations in online courses. Data were gathered from 418 undergraduate students through an online survey assessing mental fatigue and other relevant variables. Path analysis was used to examine the relationships between these variables and the proposed research model. Key findings revealed that mental fatigue had a significant negative direct effect on expected grades, indicating that higher mental fatigue was associated with lower grade expectations. Health status demonstrated a positive indirect effect on grade expectations by negatively impacting mental fatigue. Chronic conditions had a significant negative direct impact on expected grades and a significant negative direct impact on health status, but no direct significant impact on mental fatigue. These results emphasize the critical need for comprehensive support services that address mental fatigue and health conditions to enhance student well-being and academic progress and performance in online learning environments. Additionally, the findings suggest the need for inclusive course designs that minimize cognitive overload and provide flexible support for students with chronic conditions.