EXPLORING TRADE-OFFS: ACADEMIA VS FINANCIAL FOR UNDERGRADUATES USING DIGITAL MEDIA IN PESHAWAR

Abstract

This qualitative research was conducted with prism of self-determination theory survey on scales of academic achievement VS economic benefits of using digital media amid undergraduate students in Peshawar, Pakistan. The researcher gathered data in 8 focus group discussions in a sample of 64 students participating in undergraduate programs in 2 public and 2 private higher education institutions. Results show how significant digital media, or Facebook, is in terms of the academics, social, and financial well-being of the students. Digital media are applied by students to academic resource acquisition, collaboration, engagement, and, nevertheless, when used in excess (particularly in terms of the tasks linked with finance), digital media may result in increased distraction, cognitive stress and defocusing. The social distractions of the lower earning students were used to show academic disengagement as financial needs, social & family expectations mounted pressures to work, hence ignoring academics. Thus, the time management, self-regulation and working with groups were reported by the students as the coping strategies of coping with conflicting academic and calendar pressure. This research suggests that the Peshawar institutes of digital media integration should be developed that not only enhances student education and behavioral transformation but also ensures their personal wellbeing.