THE INFLUENCE OF ACADEMIC COUNSELING ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Academic counseling is increasingly recognized as a vital support mechanism within
educational settings, offering students guidance in areas such as goal setting, time
management, study techniques, course selection, and emotional regulation. This research
investigated the impact of academic counseling on the academic performance of secondary
school students in selected schools within Agboyi Ketu Local Council Development Area, Lagos.
Employing a descriptive research design, the study purposively selected 200 students who were
deemed able to provide relevant information for addressing the research objectives. Data were
collected through self-administered questionnaires structured on a four-point Likert scale. The
analysis combined descriptive and inferential statistical methods, with regression analysis
performed using IBM SPSS to determine the strength and significance of the relationship
between counseling and student performance. The results revealed a moderate positive
correlation between academic counseling and academic achievement (R = 0.561), with the
coefficient of determination (R² = 0.314) suggesting that counseling accounts for approximately
31% of the variance in students’ academic outcomes. The regression model was statistically
significant (F = 90.792, p < .001), confirming that structured counseling contributes
meaningfully to academic performance. While counseling alone does not fully determine
student achievement, these findings indicate that well-designed, consistently implemented
counseling programs can enhance learning engagement, motivation, and study behaviors. The
study underscores the importance of integrating counseling services with instructional
strategies and institutional support to optimize student outcomes. Consequently, it provides
empirical justification for educational policymakers and school administrators to prioritize
investment in comprehensive academic counseling initiatives as part of broader student success
frameworks.