DETERMINANTS OF STUDENT TARDINESS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: PERSONAL, INSTITUTIONAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Late arrival (tardiness) among university students is a persistent problem with adverse effects on academic engagement and overall success. This study synthesizes existing evidence on the personal, institutional, and environmental determinants of student tardiness, exploring how these factors interact to influence punctuality and academic outcomes. Findings indicate that inadequate time management, commuting and transportation challenges, sleep deprivation, and psychosocial stresses are key contributors. Institutional policies and classroom climate further modulate these effects. Interventions such as time-management training, transportation subsidies, flexible class scheduling, and awareness campaigns have demonstrated positive effects on punctuality and academic performance. This study underscores the necessity of multi-pronged, evidence-based interventions to mitigate tardiness in higher education settings.