Assessing The Influence of Stress on Students' Academic Performance of Post Graduate Diploma in Education's Students in the Catholic University College of Ghana, Fiapre

Abstract

This paper examined the impact of stress on students' academic performance with focus on postgraduate students of the Catholic University College of Ghana, Fiapre in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana.

Using a descriptive research design with a purposive sampling size of sixty-seven (67) respondents, the following were the major findings of the study: 

Stress and Academic Achievement

The study found that stress was a major predicting factor for students' poor academic performance. For example, the finding suggests that starting project work in the second semester almost simultaneously with end of semester examination time was stressful in addition too many assignments. This stress was found to be more acute with students who were parents and combined parenting with schooling. 

Main Sources of Stress among Students

The findings also indicated that the major source of stress was inadequate financial support from relatives or government. Majority of the respondents affirmed that they had to raise money to pay their tuition.  This financial challenge was the main source of stress that also affected their academic achievement.

Again, the result indicated that some students had no secure employment after first degree. This also contributed to the financial challenge. It was clearly indicated that a significant number of them performed averagely and others performed below average as a result of not getting appreciable employment.

Stress Coping Strategies Employed by Students

It was found during the survey that the predominant coping strategy adopted by the students was the use social media such as Whatsapp, Imo, Twiter and Facebook. The data further indicated that fifteen students identified watching television as a major coping strategy. They pointed out that watching television programmes such as Ghanaian movies, Kumkum Bhagya, sporting activities especially football and other equally entertained programmes always relieve them from stress.