The influence of accommodation on the academic performance of university students

Abstract

Introduction: Accommodation, age, gender, ethnic background, quality of education, and study time are some of the factors that educators believe influenced students’ academic achievement. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the factors that influenced student’s choice of accommodation, and whether these factors affected their academic performance. Methods and design: This was a questionnaire based study with pragmatic sample of minimum of 40 participants. Results: Out of 57 participants, six participants achieved a grade of >75%, with equal gender representation. There were four of participants lived with their parents, three travelled by own car to the University. Five participants had to pay for water and electricity and had personal space in their accommodation. However, four of them paid accommodation bills or rent, and four of participants felt they are influenced by the people they live with. Nine participants achieved the lowest grades<60%, six of them were female and seven were <25 years of age. six were in their third year of their studies. Five lived with their parents, two lived with their partner, and two lived alone. Five used public transport, and four used their car to travel to the University. Seven participants did not pay accommodation fees or rent, and 5 who felt influenced by the people they live with. Conclusion: The data showed that those participants living independently have higher grades however, these findings, there are possible other factors that affected the students’ academic performance e.g., socioeconomic background, student’s attitude towards study, self-efficacy and motivation, and study time management.