Asia Pacific Journal of Education, Arts and Sciences, Vol. 3 No. 1, January 2016 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 83 P-ISSN 2362-8022 | E-ISSN 2362-8030 | www.apjeas.apjmr.com Benefits of Co-Curricular Activities to Academic Performance of Financial and Management Accounting Students Aileen S. Villalobos 1 , Arlene Jane C. Dulce 2 , Lara Joyce Fontilar 3 , Darlene Margot C. Gutierrez 4 , Rei-an Craig V. Sawali 5 , Hadge Almero-Encio 6 Business Administration Major in Financial Management and Accounting, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Batangas City, Philippines 1 aileenvillalobos1995@yahoo.com, 2 aj_swithart@yahoo.com, 3 larajoyce.fontilar@gmail.com, 4 gutierrezdarlene@gamil.com, 5 omay_kano7@yahoo.com Date Received: January 6, 2016; Date Revised: February 5, 2016 Asia Pacific Journal of Education, Arts and Sciences Vol. 3 No.1, 83-93 January 2016 P-ISSN 2362-8022 E-ISSN 2362-8030 www.apjeas.apjmr.com Abstract - The study aimed to find out the benefits of co-curricular activities of the Financial and Management Accounting Students to their academic performance, skills, attitudes and knowledge; to identify the reasons in joining in activities; to be aware about the benefits of co- curricular activities to their academic performance; and to know the factors that affect in joining co- curricular activities. The descriptive method of research utilizing the normative survey technique was employed in the study. Results showed that majority of the respondents are female, 19-20 years old, with 2.01-2.25 general weighted average. Pleasure and enjoyment are the most common reasons of students why they join the activities. The benefits of these activity matter over the knowledge, skills, attitude and academic performance. Peer, family, student and school are the factors that affect the students in joining co-curricular activities. Keywords: Academic performance, Co- curricular, Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes INTRODUCTION Having a good education is a great opportunity for everyone. It involves learning new knowledge which are necessary in grounding of the young in the principles and tradition they belong in. The effort to improve academic achievement has been a major concern among the students. Today, co-curricular activities improve student’s academic performance. Guest and Schneider [1] noted that researchers have found positive association between the co-curricular activities and the academic performance of the students. In a study which is conducted by Nonis and Hudson [2] conclude that time spent on work influences academic performance. As time at work increased academic performance decreased. The role of co-curricular activities in students’ academic performance helps to develop the all-round personality of the students to face undaunted task and turbulent world of future [3]. One study conducted by the National Longitudinal Study, found out that participation in some activities improves achievement and also can diminishes academic performance. The co-curricular activities make the students fit for the future time and develop a sense of competitive spirit, cooperation, leadership, diligence as well as it provide backdrop for the development of their creative talents. Co-curricular activities are vital because even though they are not a part of the core curriculum, they play a very crucial role in giving the young boys and girls the ability to mould their lives to become well rounded people. The school activities have to be designed purposefully to give an apt mix of student’s participation in academics and also create a chance for all round development [4]. VanZile-Tamsen and Bissonnette [5] stated that activities were found to have more benefit than only the enjoyment of competition. Students know it is important to be active in college so as to be more competitive when they are on the job market or applying to graduate schools. Experiences acquired through the participation in activities give students the ability to think critically [6]. Studies have shown that students pursuing their hobbies achieved better results in their studies. Their academic performance goes way up north as they learn to balance their co-curricular