Effects of Trimester System and Orientation Programme on Students’ Grade Point Average in Abdul-Raheem College of Advanced Studies, Igbaja, Kwara State

Abstract

Orientation is widely conceived to encompass activities that support the
transition in educational institutions. This paper examines the performance
of a sample of 81 students who graduated in 2014 from the Abdul-Raheem
College of Advanced Studies. The analysis of students’ performance was
conducted against the three trimesters (First, Second and Third). The sole
objective of the Institution is ensuring that students are performing efficiently
in the three trimesters, including their final grade point so as to allow the
student secure admission into 200level in any institution of choice. The
study, relying on statistical analysis, identified two factors (Trimesters,
Orientation) as important determinants of student final performance (Grade
point). The paper concludes with implications from the study’s findings.
The third trimester accounts for the highest correlation coefficient (0.553) with the grade point and p-value <0.05 (which indicate that it is significant).
The forward method of variable selection was used to detect the parsimonious
model among the possible models. The model with the three independent
variables (first, second and third trimester) has the highest explanation of
the total variation present in the grade points (dependent variable). The R2
value of 0.770 indicates that 77% of the total variation in the grade point
can be explained by the three independent variables all together. Also, the
third trimester result explains over 50% of the total variation. The outcome
also showed that orientation and trimester is significant to the Grade Point
Average (GPA) scores of students. Based on these findings, a recommendation
was made for the management to improve the orientation programmes
geared towards helping students to maximize learning throughout the three
trimesters.