An Empirical Study of the Common Factors Affecting Students’ Academic Performance in Gombe State University, Gombe-Nigeria

Abstract

Students’ academic performance has been one of the major discourse among social sciences disciplines in tertiary institutions in the last two decades in Nigeria. But unfortunately, very insignificant number of studies in this area has been conducted in the north east tertiary institutions. This research was undertaken to fill this obvious gap. The objectives of the research study therefore includes; to examine the most common factors associated with poor academic performance of students in Gombe State University and to explore the consequences associated with poor academic performance of students in Gombe State University. Furthermore, the research employed a descriptive method and data was collected from a sampled of 584 respondents using Krejcie and Morgan Sample Size Calculator via the aid of the questionnaire. The data was analysed with the aid of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (Version, 21). The findings of the study indicated that, the most common factors associated with poor academic performance of students in Gombe State University includes family stress, lack of proper orientation programmes and commitment of students to academic activities and overcrowding in class among others. Similarly, the consequences of poor academic performance of students in the university include poor academic semester results, probation and dismissal among others. Finally, the study recommends among others on the need for parents/guardians to support and encourage their wards by relieving them from family activities during school sessions. Also, the university management need to provide more facilities which will help in reducing congestions among students in class.