Assessing the knowledge of first year students on the factors affecting academic performance; a study at the Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Berekum.

Abstract

Introduction: The study focused on “assessing the knowledge of first year students on the Factors affecting academic performance; a study at Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Berekum”.Materials and Methods: A descriptive survey was used to elicit in-depth responses from the study participants, collecting, analyzing and reporting research. A convenient sampling was employed in drawing the population of interest. For this purpose, 50 questionnaires were distributed to two students’ groups (first year nursing and Midwifery students) who had been in the College for a year. The results were presented graphically in pie and bar charts using Microsoft Excel.Results: 50% of the respondents agreed that they have CGPA of below 2.0; 40% of the respondents agreed they are not active in class activities which makes them dull in their studies. 60% of the respondents agreed that they are fearful, thus have low confidence when in class.70% of the respondents agreed that studying only when there is test affects their academic performance negatively. 60% of the respondents agreed that they prefer listening to audios and watching videos and 90% of the respondents agreed that they like pressing phones, chatting and playing games which affects their academic performance negatively. 90% of the respondents agreed that they copy the assignments of friends and it negatively affects their academic performance because it does not make them critical thinkers.Moreover, Lecturer factors showed that 80% of the respondents agreed that teachers discuss many topics in a short period of time which makes academic work overloaded on them and it affects their academic performance The research recommended; Prioritization of daily activities in order of urgent, given appropriate attention and funding to ensure the provision of essential teaching and instructional materials for effective teaching and learning process, frequent organization of quizzes to put students on their toes to learn always, self-discipline to put restrictions on time spent on phone and provision of equipped classrooms and laboratories to standard in the school in order to prevent congestions. 42% of the respondents agreed that always reading the tutorials’ questions before the class has a positive effect on academic performance. 40% of the respondents strongly agreed that always trying to solve the tutorial questions before the class improves academic performance.64% of the respondents strongly agreed that, always revising and studying lessons in a group of students in the class.Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded the first-year nurses and midwives’ students of Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Berekum interviewed were conscious of the factors that affect their academic performance positively and negatively.