IMPACT OF SIDE HUSTLES ON THE ACADEMIC CONCENTRATION OF UNDERGRADUATES IN KWARA STATE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study examines the impact of side hustles on the academic concentration of undergraduates in Kwara State, Nigeria. As economic challenges persist and the desire for financial independence rises, many students have turned to side hustles—income-generating activities undertaken alongside formal education. This research investigates how these ventures influence students’ ability to focus on academic tasks, and whether the effects vary by gender or academic level.
A descriptive survey design was used, involving 231 randomly selected undergraduates from the University of Ilorin. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire (ISHACU-Q) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and one-way ANOVA. Results showed that 83.98% of respondents engage in side hustles, with the most common activities being delivery services, fashion design, online trading, tutoring, and digital freelancing.
Findings indicate that the majority of students exhibit average (55.84%) or high (35.93%) levels of academic concentration, while only 8.23% fall into the low concentration category. Students generally agreed that side hustles help improve discipline, provide financial relief, and enhance time management. However, they also acknowledged that side hustles can lead to stress and reduced study time. Despite these challenges, most students disagreed with statements suggesting that side hustles cause them to skip lectures or fail to prepare for exams.
Statistical tests revealed no significant differences in the impact of side hustles on academic concentration based on gender (p = 0.1796) or academic level (p = 0.8560). This suggests that the influence of side hustles is relatively consistent across all student groups.
The study concludes that while side hustles present both opportunities and challenges, students are largely capable of managing them without significantly compromising academic focus. It recommends institutional support such as entrepreneurship programs, flexible learning schedules, and wellness services to help students balance academic and economic demands effectively.
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