BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH EXAMINATION ANXIETY AMONG FINAL-YEAR STUDENTS AT FATIMA COLLEGE OF NURSING SCIENCES SIFAWA

ABSTRACT Background: Time management is a critical skill for nursing and midwifery students, balancing academic demands and clinical responsibilities. Poor time management may contribute to elevated levels of examination anxiety, thereby affecting academic performance and mental well being. Objective: To identify the barriers to effective time management and examine their relationship with examination anxiety among final-year nursing and midwifery students at Fatima College of Nursing Sciences, Sifawa. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among all 97 final-year students enrolled in the 2024/2025 academic session. A structured self-administered questionnaire with five sections was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS v25. Descriptive statistics summarized participant responses, while Pearson correlation and chi-square tests assessed relationships between variables. Results: Key time management barriers included poor planning (M=3.67), distractions (M=3.45), and procrastination (M=3.42). Examination anxiety levels were moderate to high among 63% of respondents. A significant positive correlation (r=0.419, p<0.01) was found between time management barriers and examination anxiety. Chi-square tests showed significant associations between gender, program of study, and anxiety levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ineffective time management significantly contributes to examination anxiety among final-year nursing and midwifery students. Targeted interventions are recommended to improve students ’ planning skills and reduce academic stress.