Reading Habits and Academic Performance of Business Education Students in University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

To ascertain the effectiveness of any level of education, the academic performance is the yardstick that is often used. However, the academic performance of students is nothing to write home about as recent lamentation by the employers of labour showed that the graduates are half-baked and often need further training to perform in their respective areas of functions. This situation may be attributed to undesirable reading habit displayed by some of the students while in school and if perhaps its improvement can assist in bringing about improvement in students' academic performance. This study thus examined reading habits and academic performance of business education students in University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design of correlational type was adopted for this study. Using Convenience sampling technique, 196 out of 454 Business Education students were selected for this study. The study found out that there is significance relationship between reading habit and students' academic performance; there is a significant relationship between peer group influence and reading habit and there is significant relationship between students' reading time and academic performance of business education students in University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that schools should always provide adequate reading facilities needed by students and orientation should be given to students on the important of selfawareness to ascertain the study time that is suitable for them.