Activity

Answer the following questionnaire. Put a check in the column that best describes what is true
to you.

PART 1
Always Sometime Never Your
(10) s (5) (0) Score
1 I exert effort to find out why I need to do a particular task. / 10
.
2 I reward myself when I work. / 5
.
3 I see to it that I give myself regular breaks from work. / 5
.
4 I am able to keep my concentration and does not let my mind “drift / 10
. away.”
5 I have ways of dealing with distractions. / 10
.
6 I am willing to do the work I do not enjoy because I see it as / 10
. important.
7 I seek clarification from the teacher about her expectations and / 5
. standards.
8 I go to tutorials to improve my school work. / 0
.

PART 2
Always Sometime Never Your
(10) s (5) (0) Score
1. I make a weekly timetable for the school work I need to / 5
accomplish.
2. I make a review schedule for examinations / 10
3. I plan to get the necessary resources and equipment prior to starting / 10
work.
4. I submit all my assignments on time. / 10
5. I have a place to work where I won’t be disturbed. / 5
6. I have time for family commitments and relaxation as well as / 0
studying.
7. I prioritize tasks which should be done first, second and so on. / 10
8. I make lists of things to do. / 5
9. I make a list of valuable references with bibliographic details, page / 10
numbers of quotes and so on.
10 I review my work before submitting it. / 10
.

PART 3
Always Sometime Never Your
(10) s (5) (0) Score
1 I discuss work assignments with other students. / 5
.
2 I share resources with other students. / 5
.
3 I keep cuttings from newspapers and magazines which may be of / 0
. help to me.
4 I make sure I see TV programs which may be useful. / 0
.
5 I read a topic assigned before a session. / 10
.
6 I ask questions and generally take part in group discussions. / 10
.
7 I listen out for key ideas when someone is talking. / 10
.
8 When I am listening to someone, I try to anticipate what they will / 5
. say next.

PART 4
Always Sometimes Neve Your
(0) (5) r (10) Score
1. I get so worried about assignments that they make me feel ill. / 10
2. This worry about assignments makes me feel depressed. / 10
3. I feel miserable about doing assignments. / 10
4. I let these concerns about the work get on top of me. / 10
5. When I need to work, others always succeed in persuading me to / 10
go out.
6. I have difficulty in talking to others about my worries. / 5
7. I ignore my personal fitness through worrying about / 10
assignments.
8. The stress of assignments causes me to get behind and I never / 10
seem to catch up.
PART 5
Always Sometime Never Your
(10) s (5) (0) Score
1. My notes indicate the main ideas, rather than merely repeat what / 10
has been said.
2. I listen for key ideas when listening to a speaker. / 10
3. I approach tutors for help. / 0
4. I organize or file my notes regularly. / 5
5. I re-write my notes under key ideas so they stand out. / 10
6. I have a shorthand technique of my own. / 5
7. I underline or highlight key ideas so they stand out. / 10
8. I decide before reading a book whether it is vital or background / 5
reading.
9. I go over a book before diving into chapter one. / 0
10 I check the contents page for relevance before reading a book. / 5
.
11 I look for summaries at the end of chapters. / 5
.

PART 6
Always Sometime Never Your
(10) s (5) (0) Score
1. I see to it that I understand what is really being asked for in the / 10
assignment/project.
2. I read other references and read about the topic. / 10
3. I make an outline/plan before doing my assignment/project. / 5
4. I check for spelling mistakes. / 10
5. My essays have clear introductions. / 10
6. My essays have a conclusion. / 10
7. I frequently check back to the title during the writing of an essay. / 10
8. My essay/research paper has a full set of references and a / 10
bibliography.
9. I review project/assignments before submitting it. / 10
10 I request someone else to look at/read my project/assignment / 5
. before submitting it.
Scoring:
The six parts of the questionnaire pertain to the following aspects of study habits:
Part 1 Motivation
Part 2 Organizing and planning your work
Part 3 Working with others; Utilizing resources and feedback
 Part 4 Managing school work stress
Part 5 Note-taking and reading
Part 6 Preparing an assignment/project

Use the scoring guide below

Scoring for Part 1 Motivation

Score: 10 for Always
5 for Sometimes
0 for Never

Feedback: • Scores from 55 to 80 mean that you do not appear to have many problems in getting
down to work and keeping to it.
• Scores from 31 to 50 mean that you sometimes get down to work but you can be
istracted, you might not always be certain why you have to work. You probably could
benefit from learning some techniques that help you get down to work more consistently
and keep at it.
• Scores of 30 and below signify that you really do have problems in getting down to
work.
Unless you develop skills in this area you are likely to have many unsatisfactory
experiences as a student throughout your life.
You need to take action.

Scoring for Part 2 Organizing and Planning your Work

Score: 10 for Always
5 for Sometimes
0 for Never

Feedback: • Scores from 70 to 100 mean you are well-organized and plan ahead for your work.
• Scores from 40 to 65 mean you are not as well-organized as you can be. Your time
management may benefit from a closer analysis.
• Scores of 35 and below mean you have little organization, probably deal with things as
they happen, constantly doing things at the last minute,
often not getting work completed. You need to take action.

Scoring for Part 3 Working with others; Utilizing resources and feedback
Score: 10 for Always
5 for Sometimes
0 for Never

Feedback: • Scores from 55 to 85 mean you make full use of resources available, listen well and
take an active part in seminars.
• Scores from 35 to 50 mean you probably collect resources, but you need to ask yourself
how to use them more effectively.
• Scores of 30 and below mean there are important resources around you that you are
ignoring. You may not be hearing much of what is being said. You need to know what
resources are available, and you need to find out where they are and what have to offer.
You need to take action.

Scoring for Part 4 Managing School Work Stress

 Score: 10 for Never
5 for Sometimes
0 for Always

Feedback: • Scores from 65 to 80 mean that although you sometimes get stressed and worried you
have the skills of knowing how to minimize problems and
look after yourself.
• Scores from 40 to 65 mean that you handle your anxieties and concerns moderately well
but could develop skills to manage them more effectively.
• Scores of 35 and under mean that you are likely to get overwhelmed with your
problems which will make you much less effective as a student. You need to acquire the
skills of managing stress more effectively.
You need to take action.

Scoring for Part 5 Note-taking and Reading

Score: 10 for Always
5 for Sometimes
0 for Never

Feedback: • Scores from 75 to 110 mean you prepare well and read efficiently, learning as you go.
You waste little time reading irrelevant materials.
• Scores from 45 to 70 mean your reading and note taking skills are adequate, but could
be improved.
• Scores of 40 and below mean your notes are likely to be of little use to you, if they exist
at all. You spend a lot of time reading or sitting in but
come home with very little. You need to become more selective in what you read or
write down.
You need to take action.

Scoring for Part 6 Preparing an Assignment/Project

Score: 10 for Always
5 for Sometimes
0 for Never

Feedback: • Scores from 70 to 100 mean that your essays are well thought out, researched and
clearly written.
• Scores from 40 to 65 mean that there is room for improvement although you do
demonstrate some skills.
• Scores of 35 and below mean that you probably wonder why your essays always get
such low marks. Resources and support are available to help you improve your essay
writing skills.
Take action now.

Analysis

My Score in the Study Habits Questionnaire

 Aspect of Study Habits My Score Interpretation
55 You do not appear to have many problems in getting
Part 1 Motivation down to work and keeping to it.

75 You are well-organized and plan ahead for your work.

Part 2 Organizing and
Planning Your
Work
45 You probably collect resources, but you need to ask
Part 3 Working with yourself how to use them more effectively.
Others, Utilizing
Resources and
Feedback
75 You sometimes get stressed and worried you have the
Part 4 Managing School skills of knowing how to minimize problems and
for Stress look after yourself.

65 Your reading and note taking skills are adequate, but

Part 5 Note-taking and could be improved.
Reading

90 Your essays are well thought out, researched and

Part 6 Preparing an clearly written.
Assignment/Project

What did you discover about yourself using this questionnaire? What aspects are you strong in? What
aspects do you need to improve in?

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