Study Habits and Academic Performance of Students in Economics

STUDY HABITS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN ECONOMICS

 

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine study habits and academic performance of students in Economics in Ikot Ekpene local government area.  Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study comprised of 9230 students from 10 public schools. 300 economics students were selected to form a sample size through random sampling technique. Questionnaire was the major instrument for the study. Simple percentage was used to calculate the response collected from the respondents. It was indicated that study habits really influence students’ academic performance in Economics. It was recommended that government should provide counselors to all level of education to guide students towards their academic performance. Two suggestions were also made for further studies.

 

Study Habits and Academic Performance of Students in Economics

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the study

In every school setting, students are perpetually in search of academic success; student’s academic performance is their ultimate goal. Academic performance can be expressed in the form of good scores and prizes as a result of hard work and exceptional performance in classroom tests, assignments and examinations, (Nuthana and Yenagi, 2017). The teacher is the custodian, the catalyst or facilitator of the learning process. He provides the necessary husbandry without which learning cannot flourish. The teacher will expose the students to the appropriate study habit that would enhance their academic performance (Denga, 2012).

However, habits are first formed at home, such as that of neatness, respect for elders, honesty and friendliness and so on being taught by parents. When a child moves into the school, more habits are being taught by the teachers such as seen in skills and methods of drilling children into desirable habits as spelt out in the curriculum. These include systematic activities which also include habits such as that of ownership, exercise, effective study, listening and doing among others, Hussian (2010). 

Nwegbu (2010), asserted that habit saves time and saves effort. It is through the help of habits that we carryout daily routines. Therefore, good study habits are important ingredients in the life of a successful task effectively and efficiently. Denga (2012) is of the opinion that such students should choose his suitable study habits from the various study habit because of individual differences, according to him, each student has his own goal in life and possess his unique ways of pursuing these goals. Study habit has been referred to as a particular pattern an individual develops for studying, Aluede and Omorehemhen (2011). It can also be defined as an approach a student adopts towards his study. According to Aluede and Omoremhemhen (2011), this means that a student study habit could be group discussion, method of study, time allocation and assignment method among others.

Okereke (2016), opined that study habit deals with the art of developing efficiency and effective reading’ and student habit involves the creation of a more efficient academic environment along with skills in handling information effectively. It is observed that effective study habit does not just happen, but acquired and as such it has to go through mental processes before it can be established as a habit. Therefore, students who have developed good study habits do not spend much time studying before they can attain success. Many students do badly academically due to factors other than low intellectual capacity. One such factor is poor study habit which often results in poor academic performance even among the naturally bright students. Habits are true indicators of individuality in a person.

Study habits are the behaviour of an individual related top studies, which is adjusted from his habitual ways of exercising and practicing their abilities for learning are considered as study habits of learners. The pattern if behaviour adopted by students in the pursuit of their studies is considered under the caption of heir study habits. Study habits reveal students personality, learners learning character is characterized by his study habits, study habit serve as the vehicle of learning.

Study habits play a very important role in the life o students’ success or failure of each student depends upon his own study habits. Of course, study is an art and as such it requires practice. Some students study more but they fail to achieve more, others study less but achieve more. The success of each student definitely depends upon ability, intelligence and effort of students. No doubt regular study habits bring their own rewards in the sense o achievement of success.

Study Habits and Academic Performance of Students in Economics

1.2   Statement of the problem

Due to the increasing nature of poor academic performance of secondary school students in economics especially in external examinations like West African Examination Council (WAEC) or Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), many educationists tend to shift the blame on the teaching methodology adopted by the teacher and lack of fund from the government to provide quality textbooks. 

However, these might not be the main reason why students perform poorly in examinations. It is clear from all indication that most secondary school students have poor study habits which might lead to poor academic performance. Most students can only read and write but cannot think and reason logically and rationally. Some can only minimize and write in examination what the teacher has taught them. Some of the students do not have the required textbooks and writing materials.

However, the students spent most of their time playing in the class, some discussing or distracting others when the lesson is going on, some are busy planning on what to do at home while in the classroom. Others students are unaware of various study habits like group discussion, time allocation and other factors that could enhance their academic performance. In the light of the above, this research seeks to examine study habit and students academic performance in economics in Ikot Ekpene local government area.

   

1.3    Purpose of the Study

The general purpose of this study is to examine how study habit influence students’ academic performance in Economics in Ikot Ekpene Local government Area. Specifically, the study seeks to;

1. Examine whether time management/allocation influence students’ academic performance in Economics Ikot Ekpene Local government Area.
2. Determine the influence of note taking on academic performance of students in Economics in Ikot Ekpene Local government Area.
3. Examine whether school environment influence academic performance of students in Economics in Ikot Ekpene Local government Area. 

 

1.4   Significance of the Study         

It is the researchers’ view that the finding of the study will be of immense benefits to parents, policy makers, planners of educational program, students’ classroom instruction and the society in general.

1. The study will be useful to parents since the only child education and its consequence to academic achievement of the child will encourage the parents to help cultivate productive habit among their children of early stage in life.
2. The study will be of significance to the administrator because they will see need for considering students academic and physical environment for her understanding and educational enlistment.
3. The administrator may also provide rich or conducive environment that will facilitate healthy study habits.
4. The study will also be useful to the students because of the various study habits pinpointed, also students will note other factor that influence their academic performance such as study habit, level of anxiety and self-concept may now be understood and appreciated as relevant factor.
5. The study will expose researchers to problems associated with study habits information; it will add more information to the existing literature in the area. Also stimulate them to carry out further research.                            

1.5   Research Questions

        The following research questions are posed as a guide to the study:

1. To what extent does time management influence student’s academic performance in Economics in Ikot Ekpene local government area.

 

1. How does note-taking influence students academic performance in economics in Ikot Ekpene local government area?
2. How does school environment influence students academic performance in economics in Ikot Ekpene local government area?

Study Habits and Academic Performance of Students in Economics

1.6   Limitations of the study

Findings made in this study cannot be generalized beyond the specific area of Akwa Ibom State. Hence, Ikot Ekpene local government area becomes the scope of the study. In writing a research topic like this, certain limitations are bound to occur; these include among others:

1. The time giving for the completion of this study is not adequate to make a research like this have a wider scope.
2. Financial constraint exerted pressure on the study as the researcher scarcely had enough financial resource to enable her expand the scope of the study.

 

1.7   Definition of Terms

Academic:  This has been variously defined but for the purpose of this study, Sogbetun (2001) defines academic as that which has to do with school, college studies or leaning.  In other words designate the intellectual aspect of education particularly the final subject deals with organized knowledge.

Academic Performance: This refers to the performance that falls within specified standard. The specified standard is usually called pass mark and the pass mark is a score above average which students are considered having passed and below which students are considered having fail.

Study habit: Refers to the student in approaching his/her studies which may be allocation of time, note-taking and school environment among others.

Curriculum: A sequence of potential experience, set up in the school to discipline children and youth in ways of thinking and acting whether it is carried out in groups or individually, inside or outside the school.