PERCEIVED EFFECT OF STRESS ON THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which stress affects the academic achievement of students of the university of Benin. Four research questions were raised to guide the study which are: What are the causes of stress among students? What are the impacts of stress on students’ enrolment to schools? What are the effects of stress on the academic achievement of students? What can be done to solve the problem of stress among students? The descriptive survey research design was used for this study. The population of the study comprised thirty-nine thousand, two hundred and forty-three (39,243) undergraduate students in the fourteen (14) faculties in University of Benin. The findings from the study revealed that long hours of lectures cause stress for students, it was seen that majority of students experience stress because of financial difficulties. It was seen that stress could lead to poor academic achievement of students. It was revealed that stress could lead to slow learning rate. It was revealed that is significant difference between stress and academic achievement of students. The recommendation includes Since stress has an effect on academic performance, then the researcher recommends that there should be student’s counseling program. The government should train students and parents on how to fight stress to improve on the academic performance of students.