Impact of Time Management on Academic Performance of Final Year Undergraduates at a State University, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Time management is very important thing that effects on one’s performance and achievements. Compared to the other limited resources, time is less effectively managed. Nowadays, many students have trouble in managing the available time to complete their academic activities. Majority of students complain about the shortage of time when ask them to do a certain assignment. So, time management was one of the key challenges experienced by undergraduates. Mainly final year undergraduates are suffered from this issue because they need to do their academic activities while doing internship as a partial fulfilment of their degree curricular. Aim of this study is to find out the impact of time management on the academic performance of final year undergraduates. Time management of the students was measured by using Britton and Tesser (1991) Time Management Scale under the three variables – short-range planning, time attitude and long-range planning. A quantitative study conducted among final year undergraduates, Faculty of Management Studies & Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The population of the study was 1200 final year undergraduates and 291 were selected as a sample according to Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) sampling table. This study used a simple random sampling technique. Data were analysed by using univariate analysis, bivariate analysis, correlation analysis & regression analysis. According to regression analysis, R square of time management was .896 and beta values were greater than 0. Significant value of time management and academic performance was .000 which is lower than .05. Thus, findings of the study showed that there is a significant positive impact of time management on academic performance of final year undergraduates, Faculty of Management Studies & Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Based on the findings it is suggested that setting priorities, minimizing distractions, taking breaks, and utilizing effective study strategies to manage their time effectively. Furthermore, future studies need to focus on the areas such as impact of time management on academic performance of different university students, identifying other factors that affect academic performance of undergraduates and investigate the moderating variables that modify the relationship between time management and academic performance.