ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to Examine the stress levels and emotional intelligence of students. There were three research questions that was raised and analyzed for the purpose of the study.

The population of the study comprises of undergraduate female students in the Halls of residence 1 of the university of Benin with a total population of One thousand six hundred students (1600); while a sample size of 160 students making up 10% of the entire population of study was used.  The sample size was achieved using simple random sample technique or baloting by replacement. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and analyzed using simple percentage. The questionnaire was validated by the researcher's supervisor. while the test- re test reliability method was adopted to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The result revealed that; the stress level of students and their emotional intelligence can relatively affect the students academic performance , this study also show at that the higher the stress level of students the lower their emotional intelligence. Finally the study revealed that the Students' emotional intelligence is of great importance for students to effectively manage their stress levels.

Based on the results of the finding, that higher levels of EI relate to lower levels of stress it is recommended that we should be helping students develop their Emotional intelligence (EI).

Helping students develop their EI holds promise to help them more effectively manage stress which should result in higher academic performance and perhaps even graduation rates there for should be taken cognizantly in institutions.  efforts should be intensified to establish  Curriculum plans so as to integrate effective practical  strategy to help ensure the development of the emotional intelligence of students as  well as put systematic activities in place for  evaluating the students.