📖 Chapter 1 – Research Background
1. Introduction
Time is considered one of the most valuable resources a student can manage. In the field of education, especially in the Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand, students are required to handle multiple subjects, projects, and performance tasks that demand
strong time management skills. Without proper planning and prioritization, students are prone to procrastination, academic stress, and lower
achievement.
Recent studies highlight the importance of time management. For instance, Santos (2021) found that students who practice effective time
management strategies perform better academically compared to those who procrastinate. Similarly, Lopez and Garcia (2022) revealed that lack
of time management is among the top three reasons students underperform in class. Despite such findings, many STEM students continue to
struggle with balancing school tasks, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments, suggesting a gap between awareness and actual
practice.
This research was conducted to examine the effect of poor time management on the academic performance of STEM students. It aims to identify
how poor time management manifests in their daily activities, how it impacts their grades and productivity, and what can be done to bridge this
gap. By doing so, the study hopes to provide valuable insights that will contribute to the improvement of learning strategies among STEM
learners.
👉 Summary: The introduction explained the field (education/STEM), cited related literature (2021, 2022), identified the research gap (students
know time management is important but fail to apply it), and presented the study’s relevance.
2. Statement of the Problem
General Problem Statement:
This study aims to determine the effect of poor time management on the academic performance of STEM students in [Insert School Name], S.Y.
2025–2026. Specifically, it seeks to achieve the following objectives:
Specific Problems:
What is the time management profile of STEM students in terms of:
a. study habits
b. task prioritization
c. scheduling of activities?
What are the common challenges faced by STEM students in managing their time?
What is the level of academic performance of STEM students?
What is the effect of poor time management on the academic performance of STEM students?
Is there a significant relationship between time management practices and the academic performance of STEM students?
3. Statement of the Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis (Ho): There is no significant relationship between poor time management and the academic performance of STEM students.
Alternative Hypothesis (Ha): There is a significant relationship between poor time management and the academic performance of STEM
students.
4. Conceptual Framework
This study is anchored on the belief that time management directly influences academic outcomes.
Independent Variable (IV): Poor Time Management (study habits, task prioritization, scheduling)
Dependent Variable (DV): Academic Performance (grades, task completion, productivity)
📊 Illustration:
Poor Time Management (IV) ───────────▶ Academic Performance (DV)
5. Significance of the Study
The results of this study will be beneficial to the following stakeholders:
STEM Students: This study will help students recognize the importance of time management and adopt better study habits.
Teachers: Findings may guide teachers in advising students on effective learning strategies.
Parents: Results can help parents support their children in developing discipline and better study routines.
School Administrators: May use the results to design workshops and seminars on time management skills.
Future Researchers: This study can serve as a reference for similar studies focusing on student learning and academic success.
6. Scope and Delimitation
Scope: This study focuses on STEM strand students in [Insert School Name] during the Academic Year 2025–2026. It will analyze their time
management habits and academic performance through surveys and academic records.
Delimitation: The study is limited only to STEM strand students and does not include students from other strands. Other factors such as health
conditions, financial problems, and personal circumstances affecting performance are not part of the study.
7. Definition of Terms
Time Management (Conceptual): The process of planning, organizing, and controlling time for specific tasks.
Time Management (Operational): Refers to the study habits, scheduling, and prioritization practices of STEM students in this research.
Academic Performance (Conceptual): The extent to which a student achieves success in studies, usually measured through grades.
Academic Performance (Operational): Refers to the General Weighted Average (GWA) and task completion records of STEM students.
STEM Students: Senior high school learners enrolled in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics strand.
Review of Related Literature
Time management is widely recognized as a crucial factor in academic success. Effective time management enables students to plan, prioritize,
and accomplish tasks efficiently, leading to improved productivity and academic achievement (Santos, 2021). Conversely, poor time management
often results in procrastination, lower performance, and stress among students (Lopez & Garcia, 2022).
According to Britton and Tesser (2020), students with strong time management skills are more likely to earn higher grades compared to those
who exhibit poor planning. Similarly, Misra and McKean (2021) emphasized that poor time allocation is strongly linked to academic burnout and
decreased motivation. In the STEM strand, where coursework demands are more challenging, students face greater pressure to manage their time
effectively.
Procrastination is one of the most common manifestations of poor time management. A study by Lee (2022) revealed that procrastination
significantly lowers academic performance, especially among students handling multiple deadlines. Likewise, Alvarado (2023) found that
students who dedicate insufficient study hours due to poor scheduling often struggle in science and math-related subjects.
Furthermore, the use of technology and social media has been identified as another factor contributing to poor time management. According to
Rivera (2021), excessive screen time consumes valuable hours that could otherwise be spent on academic tasks, leading to poor grades and
uncompleted requirements.
Review of Related Studies
Local and international studies have also highlighted the connection between time management and academic performance.
In the Philippines, Dela Cruz (2022) conducted a study among senior high school students and discovered that learners with poor time
management skills scored significantly lower in their academic subjects compared to those who practiced consistent scheduling. Similarly, Torres
and Mendoza (2021) revealed that senior high school STEM students often cited “lack of time management” as the main reason for incomplete
projects and lower performance in mathematics.
Internationally, Macan (2020) examined time management behavior among college students and found that students who effectively manage their
time reported less stress and performed better academically. Another study by Al Khatib (2022) revealed a positive relationship between time
management training and improvement in students’ GPA, suggesting that interventions can help address this problem.
These studies collectively confirm that poor time management significantly affects academic outcomes, not just in general populations but also in
specialized tracks like STEM, where workload is heavier.
Synthesis
The reviewed literature and studies consistently point to a strong relationship between time management and academic performance. Both local
and international research confirm that poor time management leads to negative outcomes such as procrastination, academic stress, and lower
grades.
However, while past studies have established the general link between time management and student performance, few have specifically focused
on STEM strand senior high school students—a group known for its heavy academic demands. This study seeks to bridge that gap by examining
the effect of poor time management on the academic performance of STEM students in [Insert School Name].
Through this research, the findings may provide a clearer understanding of how poor time management habits influence STEM students’
academic performance and suggest possible strategies for improvement.
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