High school athletes: Their motivation, study habits, self-discipline and academic performance

Abstract

This study was conducted to describe the motivation, study habits, self-discipline and academic performance among 83 high school student-athletes of Palayan City District, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Results of the study show that as to motivation, the respondents were driven to prepare, train hard and make personal sacrifices to achieve excellence and to get in the winner's circle. However, they need improvement in identifying life skills and determining a career direction. In terms of the study habits, the athletes gave their best effort on exams and quizzes, participating in class activities and discussions and in submitting all academic requirements that they've missed right after the competition. Nonetheless, they need to improve on completing assignments on time and in working independently on assignments and other school projects. As to self-discipline, they strongly agreed that their participation in school athletics helps them develop better time management skills and they became prepared thoroughly, show discipline and stay focus with the plan. Nevertheless, they need to become more responsive to their academic works. Lastly, their academic performance was found to have a significant relationship with participation in school athletics. This means that the higher the academic performance, the higher was the participation of the respondent in school athletics.