Relationship between personality and course of study among tertiary institution students in North Western Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the relationship between personality variables and academic performance among higher institution students in north western Nigeria. The study hypothesized that there is no significant difference between personality and course of study among higher institution students. Correlational design was utilized to test the hypotheses formulated in the course of this study and 389 was used as a sample of study. Eysenck Personality Inventory Scale (EPI) was used to collect data from the sample and the academic records of 389 students from eight Colleges of Education were used as sample. The study employed independent t-test at 0.05 level of significance to determine the extent of differences between personality and students‟ course of study. The findings revealed that there is no significant difference between Science and Arts students in their level of personality scores. The study therefore, recommends that personality of student should not be considered as a yardstick for allocating a course to students. Primarily, the interest and aptitude of students should always be given preference, this is with a view to ensuring and predicting better academic outcome on the part of students. Furthermore, Teachers should also ensure that equal treatment is given to without preference to their personality.