THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACADEMIC STRESS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AMONG NCE STUDENTS OF FCT COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, ABUJA

This study examined the relationship between psychological stress and physiological stress among NCE students of FCT College of Education, Abuja. A correlational survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 1,704 NCE II students, from which a sample of 313 students was drawn using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table. Stratified random sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents. A total of 311 questionnaires, representing 99.5% of the sampled respondents, were correctly completed and returned. Data were collected using a 30-item Academic Stress Scale (ASS) structured on a four-point modified Likert format, comprising 15 items measuring psychological stress, 15 items measuring physiological stress, and a section on cumulative average (CGPA). students' grade point The instrument was face and content validated by experts with a validity index of 0.81, and its reliability was established through a pilot study using Cronbach's Alpha which yielded a score of 0.90 and 0.85 respectively. Data were analysed using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a strong, positive and significant statistically relationship between psychological stress and physiological stress (r = .668, p < .05). There was also a strong, negative statistically and significant relationship psychological between stress and academic achievement (r = .766, p < .05), and between physiological stress and academic achievement (r = .687, p < .05). Consequently, the three null hypotheses were rejected. The study concluded that psychological and physiological stress are closely related among the students, and that higher levels of both dimensions of stress are associated with lower academic achievement. It was recommended that the college establish functional guidance and counselling units and stress-management programmes, organise regular sensitisation workshops, and provide health and wellness support to reduce stress and enhance students' academic performance.