Self-Control in Learning for Healthy Living Among Students in a Nigerian College of Education

Abstract

The rapid increase in health information requires that learners exert some degree of self-control in learning to make an appropriate selection of what to learn about healthy living. The objective of this study was to determine the students’ level of self-control in learning for healthy living. A questionnaire adapted from the self-control subscale of the Self-Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) Scale developed by Fisher, King, and Tague was used in determining the levels of self-control in learning for healthy living among students in Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Enugu, Nigeria. The study revealed that the students’ level of self-control was a little less than the recommended level. A significant difference was found in the male and female students’ level of self-control in learning for healthy living with the male students possessing a higher level of self-control. Significant differences also occurred in the students’ level of self-control in learning for healthy living when the students were classified based on their courses of study. The students’ level of self-control in learning for healthy living at the College of Education (Technical), Enugu, needs to be improved. Educators at the college should employ self-control-enhancing strategies to improve the level of self-control in learning among the students.