Influence of Effective Time Management on the Academic Performance of Business Education Students in Delta State University, Abraka

This study examined the influence of effective time management on the academic performance of Business Education students in Delta State University, Abraka. Many university students struggle to balance lectures, assignments, examinations, and personal responsibilities, and Business Education students face the additional challenge of integrating practical skill acquisition with theoretical learning. The study was guided by three research questions and three null hypotheses, focusing on planning and scheduling of academic activities, task prioritisation, and procrastination management. A correlational survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 245 Business Education students at the 200, 300, and 400 levels during the 2025/2026 academic session. Since the population was manageable, a census sampling technique was used, meaning all 245 students participated in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Effective Time Management and Academic Performance Questionnaire (ETMAPQ), which was validated by experts and tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while simple linear regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that planning and scheduling of academic activities significantly influence academic performance (β = 0.631, p < 0.05). Task prioritisation also had a significant positive influence (β = 0.592, p < 0.05). Procrastination management emerged as the strongest predictor of academic performance (β = 0.674, p < 0.05). The study concluded that effective time management is a critical determinant of academic success among Business Education students. It was recommended that students be encouraged to develop personal study timetables, that lecturers provide guidance on time management, and that the department organise seminars and counselling programmes to help students overcome procrastination and improve academic outcomes.