The relationship between time management skills and the academic performance of nursing students at university of kerbala, Iraq

Abstract

Time management is a fundamental factor for academic success, particularly in disciplines that require a balance between theoretical and practical aspects, such as nursing. This study aimed to explore the relationship between time management skills and the academic performance of nursing students at the University of Kerbala.

A descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 260 nursing students from both morning and evening programs. A structured questionnaire was used, consisting of two sections: socio-demographic and academic data, and the Student Time Management Scale (STMS), which includes 28 items categorized into four domains.

The findings revealed that the majority of students (71.5%) demonstrated moderate time management skills, while 14.2% exhibited either poor or good skills.ةKey weaknesses were identified in areas such as daily prioritization and preparation for activities. Regarding academic performance, most students achieved relatively high grades, with 30% attaining a "Very Good" GPA and 22% achieving "Excellent," reflecting generally good academic performance.

Results revealed that 71.5% of students demonstrated moderate time management skills, with weaknesses observed in essential areas such as goal setting, prioritization, and routine control. Despite these deficiencies, no statistically significant correlation was found between time management skills and academic performance (ρ = 0.019, p = 0.756). Additionally, socio-demographic factors, such as age, gender, marital status, and income, did not show any meaningful associations with time management skills or academic performance.

The conclusion of the study highlights that factors such as motivation, stress management, and study environment may have a more significant influence on academic outcomes compared to time management skills alone. To address the identified gaps, the study recommends integrating structured time management training into nursing curricula. This approach can help students better manage their time and succeed academically by giving them the tools they need to deal with the demanding nature of their education.

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Haqi Ismael Mansoor. (2025). The relationship between time management skills and the academic performance of nursing students at university of kerbala, Iraq. International Journal of Medical Sciences And Clinical Research, 5(01), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.37547/ijmscr/Volume05Issue01-05
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Abstract

Time management is a fundamental factor for academic success, particularly in disciplines that require a balance between theoretical and practical aspects, such as nursing. This study aimed to explore the relationship between time management skills and the academic performance of nursing students at the University of Kerbala.

A descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 260 nursing students from both morning and evening programs. A structured questionnaire was used, consisting of two sections: socio-demographic and academic data, and the Student Time Management Scale (STMS), which includes 28 items categorized into four domains.

The findings revealed that the majority of students (71.5%) demonstrated moderate time management skills, while 14.2% exhibited either poor or good skills.ةKey weaknesses were identified in areas such as daily prioritization and preparation for activities. Regarding academic performance, most students achieved relatively high grades, with 30% attaining a "Very Good" GPA and 22% achieving "Excellent," reflecting generally good academic performance.

Results revealed that 71.5% of students demonstrated moderate time management skills, with weaknesses observed in essential areas such as goal setting, prioritization, and routine control. Despite these deficiencies, no statistically significant correlation was found between time management skills and academic performance (ρ = 0.019, p = 0.756). Additionally, socio-demographic factors, such as age, gender, marital status, and income, did not show any meaningful associations with time management skills or academic performance.

The conclusion of the study highlights that factors such as motivation, stress management, and study environment may have a more significant influence on academic outcomes compared to time management skills alone. To address the identified gaps, the study recommends integrating structured time management training into nursing curricula. This approach can help students better manage their time and succeed academically by giving them the tools they need to deal with the demanding nature of their education.


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International Journal of Medical Sciences And Clinical Research

35

https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijmscr

VOLUME

Vol.05 Issue01 2025

PAGE NO.

35-44

DOI

10.37547/ijmscr/Volume05Issue01-05



The relationship between time management skills and
the academic performance of nursing students at
university of kerbala, Iraq

Haqi Ismael Mansoor

Community Health Nursing Department, College of Nursing, University of Kerbala, Iraq

Published:

21 January 2025

Abstract:

Time management is a fundamental factor for academic success, particularly in disciplines that require

a balance between theoretical and practical aspects, such as nursing. This study aimed to explore the relationship
between time management skills and the academic performance of nursing students at the University of Kerbala.

A descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 260 nursing students from both morning and evening programs.
A structured questionnaire was used, consisting of two sections: socio-demographic and academic data, and the
Student Time Management Scale (STMS), which includes 28 items categorized into four domains.

The findings revealed that the majority of students (71.5%) demonstrated moderate time management skills,
while 14.2% exhibited either poor or good skills.

ة

Key weaknesses were identified in areas such as daily

prioritization and preparation for activities. Regarding academic performance, most students achieved relatively
high grades, with 30% attaining a "Very Good" GPA and 22% achieving "Excellent," reflecting generally good
academic performance.

Results revealed that 71.5% of students demonstrated moderate time management skills, with weaknesses
observed in essential areas such as goal setting, prioritization, and routine control. Despite these deficiencies, no

statistically significant correlation was found between time management skills and academic performance (ρ =

0.019, p = 0.756). Additionally, socio-demographic factors, such as age, gender, marital status, and income, did
not show any meaningful associations with time management skills or academic performance.

The conclusion of the study highlights that factors such as motivation, stress management, and study environment
may have a more significant influence on academic outcomes compared to time management skills alone. To
address the identified gaps, the study recommends integrating structured time management training into nursing
curricula. This approach can help students better manage their time and succeed academically by giving them the
tools they need to deal with the demanding nature of their education.

Keywords:

Study habits, nursing students, academic performance, and time management.

Introduction:

Research on the connection between

nursing students' academic achievement and time
management is crucial. For nursing students, who
encounter particular difficulties during their academic
journey, efficient time management is frequently
associated with lower academic stress and better
academic results (Sekizler et al., 2022). This shows that
there is a positive correlation between those skills and
academic performance. An example would be the study
conducted by Ghiasvand et al. highlighting that
teaching time management skills will reduce academic

anxiety and boost students' interest in study
(Ghiasvand et al., 2017). Kulkarni discovered a
significant association between time management and
GPA in medical students, inferring that improved time
management approach relates to increased academic
performance (Kulkarni, 2020). Additionally, Alshutwi et
al. illustrated a positive relationship between time
management abilities and academic performance in
nursing students, supporting the idea that enhanced
time management contributes to enhanced academic
outcomes (Alshutwi et al., 2019).


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Furthermore, the influence of time management
reaches beyond academic outcomes that include the
management of stress. Mirzaei et al. observed that
nursing students frequently encounter significant
stress stemming from their academic obligations, and
that proficient time management strategies can
alleviate this stress (Mirzaei et al., 2012). Others
highlight the importance of managing academic stress
levels to sustain academic performance in nursing
students. Effectively managing time may reduce
feelings of being overwhelmed, especially in nursing
education, where the curriculum is both rigorous and
demanding (Pacheco-Castillo et al., 2021).

In addition, the association between time management
and academic performance is clarified by research
exploring the wider context of academic stress. Lavoie-
Tremblay et al. found that first-year nursing students
face considerable stress while adapting to university
life, and that effective time management can help
elimi

nate this transition (Lavoie‐Tremblay et al., 2021).

In the same direction, Costa et al. discovered that
nursing students who effectively manage their time are
more adept at coping with the stressors correlated with
their academic environment (Costa et al., 2013).

Overall, the evidence indicates that capable time
management plays a vital role in improving academic
outcomes for nursing students. Enhancing motivation
and

reducing

stress

through

effective

time

management skills can significantly improve academic
performance, highlighting its importance in nursing
education programs.

METHODOLOGY

Overview

This section shows the research methods utilized in this
study. It delineates the research concept, target
population and sample, development and validation of
the research instrument, and the data analysis
methodologies applied. This method provides a full
understanding of the research framework and the
processes used during data collection and analysis,
enhancing the results' veracity and reliability.

The Study Design

A descriptive study was undertaken from September to
December 2024 to investigate the correlation between
time management and academic performance among
nursing students at the University of Karbala. The
descriptive design was selected for its capacity to
examine the relationship between the specified
variables without influencing the study's context. This
design made the collection of accurate and adequate
data regarding students' current time management
abilities, giving a clear understanding of the challenges

and

opportunities

for

enhancing

academic

performance.

Population

The target population for this study consisted of all
nursing students enrolled at the University of Kerbala,
with a total of 701 students, including 262 in the
morning program and 439 in the evening program. A
sample of 260 students was selected from various
academic years and levels of study.

Setting of the Sample

:

The sample setting for this study was the University of
Kerbala, Iraq, with nursing students enrolled in both
the morning and evening programs. A convenience
sampling method was used, where students were
selected based on availability and willingness to
participate. Data was collected through an online
survey using Google Forms, allowing participants to
respond remotely.

Study Instrument

The study employed a structured questionnaire divided
into two sections. The first section collected socio-
demographic data, including age, gender, academic
year, type of study (morning/evening), monthly income
adequacy, marital status, residential status, additional
responsibilities, part-time work, participation in
activities, and academic performance (percentage or
GPA). The second section assessed time management
skills using the Student Time Management Scale (STMS)
developed by Balamurugan (2013). This scale, validated
with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.885, includes 28 items
grouped into four domains: scheduling and prioritizing,
planning and goal setting, reviewing and record
keeping, and organizing and controlling. Responses
were rated on a 6-point Likert scale, providing detailed

insights into students’ time management strategies.

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument

Validity of the Questionnaire: To assess the content
validity of the study instrument, the tool was presented
to a panel of eight experts in nursing education to
review the questionnaire to ensure that it effectively
measures time management skills and academic
performance and to assess the validity of the content.

Modifications were made based on the experts’

feedback, to make the questionnaire more suitable and
understandable for participants.

Pilot Study: A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the
reliability of the research instrument. It was applied to
30 nursing students from different academic stages
during the period of 16 to 26 September 2024. The
purpose was to identify any issues related to question
clarity

or

relevance.

Each

participant

took

approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete the


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questionnaire. The pilot study sample was excluded
from the final study sample.

Reliability of the Instrument: The internal consistency
of the questionnaire items was assessed using
Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which provided a strong

reliability indicator for the instrument (α = 0.88). The

findings demonstrated an adequate level of internal
consistency and reliability, confirming the instrument's
measurability.

Data Collection

Data collection took place from October to November
2024, commencing after the study received approval
from the ethics committee. The study data were
collected through a questionnaire that was converted
into a Google Form and shared online with student
groups across all stages, ensuring accessibility for all
participants. Informed consent was obtained from all
participants prior to their inclusion in the study sample.

The questionnaire remained open for responses until
the required sample size was achieved. Upon
completion of the data collection process, the
responses were exported to Microsoft Excel and
subsequently analyzed using SPSS software. To ensure
the privacy of participants, the option to collect email
addresses in the online questionnaire was disabled,
and all responses were anonymized.

Data Analysis

The collected data were analyzed using Version 22.0 of
the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
Descriptive statistics, encompassing the mean,
standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages,

were utilized to characterize and delineate the
sample's features. Inferential statistics, including

Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), w

ere employed to

evaluate the strength and direction of the relationship
between the independent variable (time management
skills) and the dependent variable (academic
performance). The significance of the correlation was
evaluated using a p-value threshold

of ≤ 0.05,

considered

statistically

significant.

Additionally,

categorical variables were analyzed to explore their
distributions and potential relationships within the
dataset.

Ethical Considerations

The study followed ethical guidelines by obtaining
approval from the University of Kerbala College of
Nursing and ensuring the confidentiality and anonymity
of participants throughout the research process.
Informed consent was obtained from all participants,
and their participation was voluntary. The study also
ensured that participants could withdraw at any time
without any consequences. Data were securely stored
and used solely for the purposes of this research.

Administrative Arrangements

The study's protocol and formal approval to perform it
were obtained by the University of Kerbala College of
Nursing, then the agreement of the scientific
departments in the college, and the participant's

students’ agreement was obtained by writing through

the paragraph of participant agreement that found
with research instrument.

RESULTS

Table (1): Distribution of Students according to their Socio-demographic Characteristics

List

Characteristics

F

%

1

Age (year)
M±SD= 2

1

.

3

±

4

.

8

17

2

6

238

91.5

2

7

3

6

15

5.8

3

7

4

6

7

2

.

7

2

Sex

Male

85

32.7

Female

175

67.3

3

Grade

First

102

39.2

Second

73

28.1

Third

44

16.9

Fourth

41

15.8

4

Study

Morning

110

42.3

Evening

150

57.7

5

Perceived family
income

Adequate

115

44.2

Partially adequate

115

44.2

Inadequate

30

11.5

6

Marital status

Unmarried

224

86.2

Married

28

10.8

Divorced

5

1.9


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Widowed

3

1.2

7

Living with

With family

234

90.0

Student dorm

12

4.6

With relatives

12

4.6

Private housing

2

.8

8

Responsibility

Yes

81

31.2

No

179

68.8

9

Work

Yes

57

21.9

No

203

78.1

10

Activity

Yes

91

35.0

No

169

65.0

11

Tools

Phone

90

34.6

Papers

98

37.7

Nothing

72

27.7

f: Frequency, %: Percentage, M: Mean, SD: Standard deviation

The table shows the socio-demographic distribution of
students participating in the study. The majority of
students are aged 17-26 years (91.5%) and are
predominantly female (67.3%). Most students are in
their first year of study (39.2%), with a nearly even
distribution between morning (42.3%) and evening

(57.7%) sessions. Regarding perceived family income,
44.4% reported it as partially adequate. In terms of
marital status, 86.2% of students are unmarried, with
most living with their families (90%). Additionally, the
majority of students do not bear additional
responsibilities (68.8%) and do not work (78.1%).

Table (

2

): Assessment Items Student Time Management Scale (28 Items)

List

Items

M

S. D

Assessment

1

I postpone the tasks.

3.85

1.752

Moderate

2

I give up easily, when I can't succeed in completing my
tasks.

4.62

1.662

Moderate

3

I use diary for planning my activities.

2.92

1.784

Poor

4

I modify my short-term goals according to the demands.

2.20

1.349

Poor

5

I keep my bag ready for the next day.

2.34

1.656

Poor

6

I set priorities for my daily tasks.

2.05

1.346

Poor

7

I write reminder notes every day.

3.30

1.756

Moderate

8

I keep record of completed tasks.

3.38

1.926

Moderate

9

I make a list of things to be done every day.

3.23

1.885

Moderate

10

I plan for tasks a week in advance.

3.47

1.906

Moderate

11

I have long-term goals in my mind.

2.30

1.573

Poor

12

My plans get cancelled at times.

2.45

1.348

Poor

13

I get stuck in daily time scheduling.

3.22

1.613

Moderate

14

I consider time has high value in life.

1.92

1.346

Poor

15

I review my daily activities.

2.75

1.633

Poor

16

I find it difficult to keep my schedule.

2.67

1.511

Poor

17

I take too many tasks at the same time.

2.50

1.541

Poor

18

I have set short-term goals for my future.

2.43

1.591

Poor

19

I feel I spend too much time on entertainment.

3.22

1.763

Moderate

20

I am punctual to school.

1.79

1.257

Poor

21

I have difficulty in completing my tasks.

2.56

1.447

Poor

22

I am bored with my daily activities.

2.70

1.575

Poor

23

I think scheduling the task is waste of time.

4.53

1.682

Moderate

24

I allot time for my hobbies.

3.22

1.738

Moderate


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25

I submit my home works, assignments etc. well in
advance.

2.78

1.610

Poor

26

I feel unimportant tasks consume my time.

2.59

1.707

Poor

27

I have control over my daily routine works.

2.49

1.451

Poor

28

I adopt short cut ways to finish the tasks.

2.42

1.506

Poor

M: Mean, s.d:Std. Deviation , Poor (1 - 2.99), Moderate (3 - 4.99), Good (5 - 6)

Table (2) highlights the assessment of students' time
management skills based on 28 items. The results show
a predominance of poor evaluations in most items,
with the lowest score in this category being "I am
punctual to school" (M = 1.79) and the highest score
being " I use diary for planning my activities " (M =
2.92). In the moderate category, the lowest score was

for three items (M = 3.22), while the highest score was
for " I give up easily, when I can't succeed in completing
my tasks " (M = 4.62). The absence of items in the
"good" category emphasizes the urgent need to
enhance time management skills. This can be achieved
by fostering awareness of the importance of planning,
goal setting, and effectively organizing daily activities.

Table (3): Overall Percentage of Distribution by Time Management Skill Levels

Time Management Skills

Frequency

Percent

Mean

Std.

Deviation

Poor skills

37

14.2

1.62

.494

Moderate skills

186

71.5

Good skills

37

14.2

Total

260

100.0

Poor (28 - 74), Moderate (75 - 121), Good (122 - 168)

The table presents the overall distribution of students
based on their time management skill levels. The
majority of students (71.5%) demonstrate moderate

time management skills, while equal proportions of
students exhibit poor (14.2%) and good (14.2%) time
management skills.

Figure (1):

Overall assessment Grade point Average

Figure (1): Distribution of students based on their
Grade Point Average (GPA). The largest proportion of

students achieved a 'Very Good' GPA (30%), followed
by 'Good' (23%) and 'Excellent' (22%). Moderate

performance was observed in 20% of the students,
while only 5% achieved a passing GPA. This distribution
indicates a generally high academic performance
among the students.

Pass

5%

Moderate

20%

Good

23%

Very good

30%

Excellent

22%

GRADE POINT AVERAGE


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Figure (2):

Normal Q-Q Plot for Time Management

Figure (2): Normal Q-Q Plot for Time Management. The
plot illustrates the alignment of observed values of
time management skills with the expected normal

distribution. Points close to the diagonal line indicate
that the data approximates a normal distribution, while
deviations from the line suggest departures from
normality

Table (4) Correlation Between Academic performance and Time Management Skills

Correlations

N. Sample

Correlation

Coefficient )ρ(

Sig. (2-tailed)

Academic performance

260

.019

.756

ρ

: Spearman's rho Correlation, p < 0.05 considered statistically significant

Table (4): Correlation Between Academic Performance
and Time Management Skills. The Spearman's

correlation coefficient (ρ = 0.019) indicates a very weak

positive relationship between academic performance
and time management skills among the 260

participants. The p-value (Sig. = 0.756) suggests that

this correlation is not statistically significant (p > 0.05),
implying no meaningful association between the two
variables in this sample.

Table (5) Correlation between Academic Performance and Time Management Skills Based on Socio-

demographic Characteristics

Socio-demographic Characteristic

Time management skills

Correlation

We

ak

M

o

d

e

rate

Str

o

n

g

To

tal

Age (year)

M±SD= 2

1

.

3

±

4

.

8

17

2

6

90

147

1

238

r= 0.087

P-value= 0.208

Weak, not significant

2

7

3

6

7

8

0

15

3

7

4

6

3

4

0

7

Sex

Male

33

52

0

85

r=0.072

P-value= 0.25

Very weak, not significant

Female

67

107

1

175


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Grade

First

44

57

1

102

r=0.083

P-value= 0.091

Weak, borderline significant

Second

28

49

0

73

Third

15

29

0

44

Fourth

13

28

0

41

Study

Morning

43

67

0

110

r=0.07

P-value= 0.131

Very weak, not significant

Evening

57

92

1

150

Perceived family

income

Adequate

45

69

1

115

r=0.067

P-value= 0.143

Very weak, not significant

Partially

adequate

43

72

0

115

Inadequate

12

18

0

30

Marital status

Unmarried

88

135

1

224

r=0.071

P-value= 0.128

Very weak, not significant

Married

7

21

0

28

Divorced

4

1

0

5

Widowed

1

2

0

3

Living with

With family

85

148

1

234

r=0.068

P-value= 0.138

Very weak, not significant

Student dorm

9

3

0

12

With relatives

4

8

0

12

Private housing

2

0

0

2

Responsibility

Yes

31

49

1

81

r=0.074

P-value= 0.117

Weak, not significant

No

69

110

0

179

Work

Yes

21

36

0

57

r=0.069

P-value= 0.134

Very weak, not significant

No

79

123

1

203

Activity

Yes

44

47

0

91

r=0.071

P-value= 0.126

Very weak, not significant

No

56

112

1

169

Tools

Phone

21

68

1

90

r=0.069

P-value= 0.136

Very weak, not significant

Papers

48

50

0

98

Nothing

31

41

0

72

Total

100

159

1

260

r represents the Spearman’s Correlation coefficient, measuring the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.

A p-value of < 0.05 suggests a statistically significant relationship.

The table presents the correlation between academic
performance and time management skills based on
socio-demographic characteristics. The analysis,

conducted using Spearman’s Correlation, revealed very
weak correlation values (r ≤ 0.1) and non

-significant p-

values (p > 0.05) for all variables. These findings suggest
no substantial or statistically significant relationship
between academic performance, time management
skills, and the socio-demographic factors studied, such
as age, gender, academic year, monthly income, and
additional responsibilities.

DISCUSSION

1. Demographic and Social Information of Students

The majority of students (91.5%) were aged between
17 and 26 years, representing a predominantly young
population in nursing education. This transitional age
group often faces challenges in adapting to academic
pressures and higher education demands, which might
explain their moderate time management skills.
Kulkarni (2020) observed that older students tend to
exhibit better time management skills due to their
maturity and life experiences, a finding that contrasts


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with this study, where age did not significantly
correlate with time management. Females constituted
the majority (67.3%) of the sample, which aligns with
global trends in nursing education. Female students are
often reported to possess better organizational and
time management skills than males, as highlighted in
Kaya et al. (2012). Nevertheless, Al Khatib (2014) found
no significant gender differences in time management,
suggesting that personal habits and motivation may
play a more critical role.

Regarding academic year distribution, 39.2% of
students were in their first year, followed by 28.1% in
the second year, 16.9% in the third year, and 15.8% in
the fourth year. This suggests that most participants
were still adjusting to university-level academic
demands, which could explain the observed gaps in
time management. Supporting this, Mirzaei et al.
(2012) found that first-year nursing students frequently
struggle with time management due to the sudden
increase in workload, whereas senior students tend to
develop stronger organizational skills over time.

Students in the evening program accounted for 57.7%
of the sample, compared to 42.3% in the morning
program. Evening students often face additional
responsibilities, such as part-time jobs, which might
limit their ability to manage time effectively. Adams
and Blair (2019) similarly found that evening students
frequently struggle to balance work and academics,
reducing their time management efficiency.

Regarding perceived family income, 44.2% of students
reported their income as adequate, 44.2% as partially
adequate, and 11.5% as inadequate. Deng et al. (2022)
highlighted that students from families with
inadequate income often experience additional stress,
which negatively impacts time management. However,
in this study, income levels did not significantly
influence time management or academic performance,
possibly due to family support. Most students were
unmarried (86.2%), which likely allows them more
flexibility in managing their academic tasks without
additional family responsibilities. Supporting this,
Pacheco-Castillo et al. (2021) noted that married
students often face competing demands between
family and academics, leading to poorer time
management.

The majority of students (90%) lived with their families,
while smaller proportions resided in dormitories or
private housing. Living with family likely provides
emotional and financial support, mitigating stress and
facilitating better time management. However, Costa
et al. (2013) suggested that students living
independently

are

more

likely

to

develop

organizational skills due to the need for self-reliance.

Only 31.2% of students reported having additional
responsibilities, such as caregiving or familial duties.
Mirzaei et al. (2012) observed that students with fewer
non-academic responsibilities tend to focus more
effectively on their studies and manage their time

better, which aligns with this study’s findings.

Approximately 21.9% of students were employed,
while 78.1% were not working. Adams and Blair (2019)
reported that working students face significant
challenges

balancing

work

and

academic

responsibilities, leading to weaker time management
practices, a trend reflected in this study. Participation
in extracurricular activities was reported by 35% of
students, while 65% did not engage in any activities.
Kulkarni

(2020)

noted

that

involvement

in

extracurriculars

can

positively

influence

time

management, as it encourages prioritization and better
task allocation. The low participation rate in this study
might reflect the rigorous demands of nursing
programs or limited availability of activities.

Finally, students used various tools for time
management: 37.7% used paper-based tools, 34.6%
relied on phones, and 27.7% did not use any tools.
Paper-based tools were associated with better
academic performance, supporting Ghiasvand et al.
(2017), who found that structured tools like planners
enhance organizational abilities. In contrast, reliance
on phones may lead to distractions, reducing efficiency.

2. Time Management Skills and Their Levels Among
Students

The majority of students (71.5%) demonstrated
moderate time management skills, while equal
proportions (14.2%) showed poor or good skills. Weak
areas were observed in critical aspects such as setting
daily priorities, preparing for the next day, and
maintaining control over daily routines. These findings
indicate a gap in basic planning and organizational skills
among students. A supporting study by Kaya et al.
(2012) similarly found moderate levels of time
management among nursing students, attributing this
to the intense theoretical and practical demands of
nursing programs, which leave little room for skill
development outside of academic tasks. However,
Adams and Blair (2019) found that students with
stronger time management skills performed better
academically, emphasizing that structured planning
and effective prioritization are directly linked to
academic success. The differences may stem from the
limited exposure to formal time management training
in Iraq, coupled with a lack of integration of these skills
into the nursing curriculum. Addressing these
deficiencies through workshops and support programs
could help bridge the gap and improve students' ability


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International Journal of Medical Sciences And Clinical Research

43

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International Journal of Medical Sciences And Clinical Research (ISSN: 2771-2265)

to manage their time effectively.

3. The Relationship Between Time Management Skills
and Academic Performance

The study found no statistically significant relationship
between time management skills and academic

performance (Spearman's ρ = 0.019, p = 0.756). This

suggests that specific strategies, rather than overall
time management skills, might influence academic
outcomes in this context. Supporting this finding,
Alshutwi et al. (2019) similarly reported weak or non-
significant correlations between time management and
academic performance, suggesting that other factors
like motivation, study environment, or stress
management may play a larger role in determining
academic success. On the other hand, Blegur et al.
(2019) found a strong positive correlation between
time management and academic performance,
highlighting the importance of structured time
allocation and planning in achieving better results.

4. Correlation Between Academic Performance and
Time Management Skills Based on Socio-demographic
Characteristics

The study revealed no substantial or statistically
significant

correlations

between

academic

performance, time management skills, and socio-
demographic factors such as age, gender, academic
year, study program, marital status, or family income.
A supporting study by Pacheco-Castillo et al. (2021)
found that socio-demographic factors like age and
gender had minimal influence on time management,
aligning with the findings of the current study. In
contrast, Kulkarni (2020) observed that older students
often displayed better time management skills due to
their life experiences and ability to handle
respon

sibilities, which contrasts with this study’s

findings.

CONCLUSION

The study explored the relationship between time
management and academic performance among
nursing students at the University of Kerbala. The
findings indicate that while the majority of students
demonstrated moderate time management skills,
significant gaps were evident in key areas such as
setting priorities, preparing for daily tasks, and
maintaining control over their routines. Despite these
gaps, no statistically significant correlation was found
between time management skills and academic
performance, suggesting that other factors, such as
motivation,

stress

management,

and

study

environment, may have a more substantial impact on
academic outcomes. Additionally, the analysis revealed
no meaningful association between time management
skills, academic performance, and socio-demographic

characteristics, including age, gender, and income.
These results highlight the need for targeted
interventions to enhance time management practices,
such as incorporating formal training programs and
support mechanisms into the nursing curriculum. By
addressing these deficiencies, nursing students can
better navigate the rigorous demands of their
education, potentially improving both their time
management and academic success.

REFERENCES

Alshutwi, S., Alkhanfari, H., & Sweedan, N. (2019). The
influence of time management skills on stress and
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Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 10(1), 96.

https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v10n1p96

Costa, A., Guido, L., Silva, R., Lopes, L., & Mussi, F.
(2013). Stress intensity of a nursing students regarding
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sectional study. Journal of Nursing Education and
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Ghiasvand, A., Naderi, M., Tafreshi, M., Ahmadi, F., &
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M. (2021). Sources of stress and coping strategies
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https://doi.org/10.1177/08445621211028076

Mirzaei, T., Oskouie, F., & Rafii, F. (2012). Nursing
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Kaya, H., Kaya, N., Palloş, A., & Küçük, L. (2012).

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Sekizler, E. T., Yıldız, K., Gök, N. D., Kahraman, İ.,
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References

Alshutwi, S., Alkhanfari, H., & Sweedan, N. (2019). The influence of time management skills on stress and academic performance level among nursing students. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 10(1), 96. https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v10n1p96

Costa, A., Guido, L., Silva, R., Lopes, L., & Mussi, F. (2013). Stress intensity of a nursing students regarding to biosocial and academic characteristics - a cross-sectional study. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 4(2). HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.5430/JNEP.V4N2P29

Ghiasvand, A., Naderi, M., Tafreshi, M., Ahmadi, F., & Hosseini, M. (2017). Relationship between time management skills and anxiety and academic motivation of nursing students in tehran. Electronic Physician, 9(1), 3678-3684. https://doi.org/10.19082/3678

Kulkarni, M. (2020). Time management skills among medical students. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 11(6), 488-493. HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.37506/IJPHRD.V11I6.9825

Lavoie‐Tremblay, M., Sanzone, L., Aubé, T., & Paquet, M. (2021). Sources of stress and coping strategies among undergraduate nursing students across all years. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 54(3), 261-271. https://doi.org/10.1177/08445621211028076

Mirzaei, T., Oskouie, F., & Rafii, F. (2012). Nursing students' time management, reducing stress and gaining satisfaction: a grounded theory study. Nursing and Health Sciences, 14(1), 46-51. HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.1111/J.1442-2018.2011.00661.X

Pacheco-Castillo, J., Casuso-Holgado, M., Labajos-Manzanares, M., & Morales, N. (2021). Academic stress among nursing students in a private university at puerto rico, and its association with their academic performance. Open Journal of Nursing, 11(09), 742-756. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojn.2021.119063

Kaya, H., Kaya, N., Palloş, A., & Küçük, L. (2012). Assessing time-management skills in terms of age, gender, and anxiety levels: A study on nursing and midwifery students in Turkey. Nurse Education in Practice, 12(5), 284-288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2012.06.002

Al Khatib, A. S. (2014). Time Management and its relation to Students' stress, gender and academic achievement among sample of students at Al Ain University of Science and Technology, UAE. International Journal of Business and Social Research, 4(5), 47-58. DOI:10.18533/IJBSR.V4I5.498

Adams, R. V., & Blair, E. (2019). Impact of time management behaviors on undergraduate engineering students’ performance. SAGE Open, 9(1), 2158244018824506. HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.1177/2158244018824506

Deng, Y., Cherian, J., Khan, N. U. N., Kumari, K., Sial, M. S., Comite, U., ... & Popp, J. (2022). Family and academic stress and their impact on students' depression level and academic performance. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 869337. HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.3389/FPSYT.2022.869337

Blegur, J., Wasak, M. R. P., & Souisa, M. (2019). The correlation between time management and student learning outcomes in physical education. Facta Universitatis, Series: Physical Education and Sport, 17(2), 289-298. DOI:10.22190/FUPES190702027B

Sekizler, E. T., Yıldız, K., Gök, N. D., Kahraman, İ., Örskıran, B. A., & Kaya, U. (2022). The Relationship Between Time Management Skills and Academic Achievements of Nursing Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://doi.org/10.5152/MNM.2022.222096