Stress and other Correlates of Academic Success among Nigerian Students in Eastern Mediterranean University

This study examines the impact of stress and other correlates of academic success among Nigerian students in Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta North Cyprus, as they face challenges that correspond with studying abroad in a foreign land. The research explores the relationship between stress, academic motivation, academic environment and social support in relation to academic success. A total of 141 participants completed a questionnaire including a demographic section and subscales of the Students Adaptation to College Questionnaire namely, Academic Environment Scale and Academic Motivation Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Perceived Stress Scale. Academic success was measured with the use of the students current semester GPA declared by the participant student as graded in the questionnaire. Results revealed that stress, social support, academic motivation and positive academic environment did not significantly predict academic success. Also there were no gender differences among the variables except for stress factor. This research will make it possible for the students’ welfare department and the university authority to gain awareness about the travails of the Nigerian students amidst international students in general. Keywords: academic success, motivation, Nigerian students, stress, positive academic environment.