Perceived Influence of Short Semester Break on Commitment to Studies among Self-Sponsoring Science Education Undergraduates in Regular Public Universities in Makurdi

The study investigated the perceived influence of short semester break on commitment to studies among self-sponsoring science education undergraduates in regular public universities in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria using a descriptive survey design. The study had two research objectives and corresponding questions. The population for the study included all the 2003 science education undergraduates in the Department of Science and Mathematics Education, Benue State University (now Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University), Makurdi, Nigeria (411) and those from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (formerly Federal University of Agriculture), Makurdi (1592). A multistage sample of 91 self-sponsoring undergraduates (47 federal + 44 state) was used for the study. Data were collected using Short Semester Break and Self-sponsoring Undergraduate Questionnaire (SSBSUQ). The researchers’-made 5-point SSBSUQ was validated by experts and trial-tested on 15 undergraduates other than those involved in the actual study. The SSBSUQ’s reliability value of 0.73 was determined using Cronbach’s Alpha statistic. The research questions were answered by mean and standard deviation. The study revealed that short semester break has negative influence on school attendance (mean = 4.11) and time management (mean = 4.19) of self-sponsoring undergraduates. The study recommended among others that university administrations should increase the length of semester break to enable self-sponsoring undergraduates prepare better for upcoming semesters or the government should grant them study loan with bonds to work for the Nigerian government for a given period after graduating.