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EXPLORING COLLEGE STUDENT’S STUDY HABITS: BASES FOR

INTERVENTION

An Undergraduate Thesis Outline

KABACAN SANDIGAN COLLEGES INCORPORATED
Kabacan Branch Campus
Poblacion, Kabacan, North Cotabato
In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of
BACHELOR OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

NORMINA T. SAPURIN

SEPEMEBER 2024
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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Study habit is one of the greatest students or learning factors that hugely

influences students’ academic achievements. If undermined by students at all levels,

teachers, administrators, parents and guardians, school counselors and the

government, then, the trend and menace of students’ abysmal performance in both

internal and external examinations would continue to boom and become more

devastating and alarming.

Mark and Howard (2009) are of the opinion that the most common challenge

to the success of students in all ramifications is a lack of effective or positive (good)

study habit. They further maintain that if students can develop a good study habit

and with good discipline, they are bound to perform remarkably well in their

academic pursuit. Husain (2000) stresses that lack of effective or positive (good)

study habits is a critical study problem among students at all levels. Grace (2013)

also maintains that the process of learning is still a little mysterious but studies do

show that the most effective process for studying involves highly active behavior

over a period of time. In other words, to study effectively, one must read, draw,

compare, memorize and test himself over time.

The concept of study habit according to Husain (2000) is broad, as it

combines nearly all other sub-concepts such as study attitude, study methods and

study skills. Attitude is a mental and natural state of readiness, organized through

experience, exerting a direct influence on the individual’s response to all objects and
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situations with which is related. Attitude towards study has great contribution on

academic achievement, and good study pattern. Successful learners adopt positive

attitude towards study, and do not waste time or energy over what they have to do.

Study attitude, according to Husain (2000), refers to the predispositions which

students have developed towards private readings through a period of time.

According to him, study attitude offers great possibilities for successful achievement

in studies. Study method is the knowledge and application of effective study skills or

techniques by students. Several study methods have been identified several

effective study methods and skills that could be used by students based on the

learning environment (Husain, 2000).

Study habits are an effective way for the college students to achieve the good

grades they desire and also they need to know the different study habits which are

the most effective for them and how they can apply it to themselves.

Significance of the Study

This study will be a great benefit to various entitles and individuals. The

study will have a big impact on the following: the respondents will be able to describe

their study habits and which study habits they think that is effective; to the teachers,

they will be able to determine how their students doing their best in their difficulty

times. The data gather in this study will lead them to have important information on

how they will maintain and identify the study habits of the respondents. To the future
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researchers, this research scheme will give them ideas and recommendations to

enhance it in the future and use it as their future references.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to determine the exploring college students study habits;

bases for intervention in Kabacan Sandigan Colleges Inc. (KSCI), Kabacan Branch

at Kabacan, North Cotabato. Specifically, it intends to

1. How do you describe your study habits?

2. Which of the study habit do you think is effective?

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study will be conducted Kabacan Sandigan Colleges Inc. (KSI), Located

at Mercado Street, Brgy. Poblacion Kabacan, North Cotabato for the school year

2024-2025. It is focused to explore the college students study habits; bases for

intervention.
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Operational Definition of Terms

The following terms, which are essential to the understanding of the

study, are given the following operational definitions:

STUDY: An approach applied to learning different school curriculum.

HABIT: an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed in the course of studying

different subjects.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: refers to how well a student is accomplishing his or

her tasks and studies. This will be measured by the overall student’s obtainable

marks.

STUDENT: a person formally engaged in learning, especially one enrolled in a

school or college.

STUDY SKILLS: These are peculiar strategies developed by the student in studying

different topics in college school curriculum.

STUDY HABIT: This is a behavior or style which include; note-taking, time

management and time allocation to study that is systematically formed by students

towards learning.

STUDY ATTITUDE: is usually used to refer to a students’ positive attitude toward

the specific act of studying and the student’s acceptance and approval of the broader

goals of any form of education.

STUDY METHODS: Are arrays of strategies which tackle the process of organizing

and taking in new information, retaining information.

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CHAPTER II

REVIEW RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter deals with the literature related to the exploring the college

students study habits this year.

STUDY HABITS

Study Habits are the regular tendencies and practices that one depicts during

the process of gaining information through learning. In simple terms study habits are

the habits when one study. A person with poor study habits will not be able to learn

properly. It is generally believed that a student learns effective study habits in school.

So college students are generally assumed to have effective study habits. But the

environment of school and college are very different and need have effective study

habits is even more at college level as compared to school.

Study habits is a well planned and deliberate pattern of study, which has

attained a form of consistency on the part of the students towards understanding

academic subjects and passing examination (Pauk, 1962; Deese, 1952; Akinboye,

1974 cited by Oyedeji). Therefore, study can be interpreted as a planned program of

subject matter master.

Study habits are at the core of academic success. It is an action like reading,

taking notes, conducting study groups that students perform frequently, and regularly

accomplishing the learning goals. It can be defined as effective or counterproductive

based on whether it serves the students well. Thus, study habits are purchasing out
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a devoted and un-interrupted time to apply oneself to the world of learning (Rabia,

Mubarak, Tallat, Nasir, 2017).

Arieta, Gementiza, and Saco (2017) highlighted that study habits play a

significant role in students' life. The success or failure of each student depends on

their study habits. The study also says that study is an art and requires practice and

effort. The success of each student depends on the ability, intelligence, and action of

the students. Thus, many effective study habits can help a student to improve.

According to the study as cited by Fouche (2017), he described good study habits

like doing homework, actively participating in class, managing time, staying focused,

and working hard showed a significant positive correlation on their academic

performance. Further, students need to develop study habits because these are

study strategies that are applied in learning. Without developing study habits,

students cannot perform and improve their academic performance (Ebele & Olofu,

2017).

According to Crow and Crow, (2007), the chief purposes of study are: to

acquire knowledge and habits which will be useful in meeting new situations,

interpreting ideas, making judgments creating new ideas and to perfect skills.

Therefore, successful achievement in any form of academic activity is based upon

study, interpretation and application. Everyone has different study habits. All often,

students perform poorly in school simply because they lack good study habits. In

many cases, students do not know where to begin. Those students in high school

who succeed especially well usually study alone and follow a study technique that

has been worked out by them and that incorporates desirable procedures. Good

health, sufficient sleep, appropriate exercise and nutritious diet are essential to

achievement of good study results. Study conditions that are unfavorable include
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inadequate lighting, extremes of temperatures, humidity, poor posture, subnormal

physical conditions and emotional disturbance. Although habits differ from person to

person, some general principles can be derived about studying efficiently.

WHY EFFECTIVE STUDY HABITS IN COLLEGE?

There are four major reasons so as to why teachers should focus helping their

students in developing effective study habits. The very first reason is that despite of

availability of good study materials and the best instructors, instructors often find

students have not learned well The Second reason is that many students do not

know how to think and study properly. Thus there is a great need to inculcate good

study habits in students either by the instructor by motivating them or students

themselves by self regulating them. The third one being that many talents remain

underdeveloped due to less attention given to their academic and personal growth.

The last one states that there has been marked decline in average weekly study time

for college students.

Cardelle-Elawar and Nevin (2003) expound that study habit refers to the

conscious and purposeful use of one’s cognitive skills, feelings, and actions to

maximize the learning of knowledge and skills for a given task and set of conditions.

Cardelle-Elawar and Nevein (2003) consider study habit as the application of an

individual’s intelligence, emotions, and activities towards the acquisition of

knowledge and skills to accomplish an assignment. Logically, effective study habit is

contingent on keen intellectual competence, stable emotions, and relevant activities

deliberately directed to construct knowledge and develop skills so as to attain a goal.

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Furthermore, Crede and Kuncel (2008) add that review of material; self-

testing and rehearsal of learned material are constituents of study habit. The views

of these scholars suggest that study habit demands personal commitment of

students to grasp concepts, revise, and personally assess one’s proficiency to

ascertain the extent of consolidation of subject matter.

Wood and Neal (2007) conclude that study habits are approaches applied to

learning. Understandably, good study habits assist students to apply their thought

processes to identify relevant bodies of knowledge and evaluation of same.

Conversely, poor study habits impede students’ capacity to engage in constructive

intellectual exercise.

Kelli (2009) posits that for students to succeed in their studies, they must be

able to appropriately assimilate course content, digest it, reflect on it and be able to

articulate the information in written and/or oral form. What is fundamental is the

ability of a student to acquire effective study habits. Many students feel that the

hours of study are the most important. However, students can study for hours on end

and retain very little. The more appropriate question is how students should study

more effectively. Developing good time management skills is very important.

Students must realize that there is a time to be in class, a time for study, time for

family, time to socialize and time to just be alone. The critical issue is recognition that

there must be an appropriate balance. Students should also have vision. A clearly

articulated picture of the future they intend to create for themselves is very important

and contributes to students’ success in school. This will promote a passion for what

they wish to do. Passion is critical and leads to an intense interest, dedication and

commitment to achieving career goals and objectives.

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Marc (2011) explains that students with learning problems, however, may still

have generally inefficient and ineffective study habits and skills. Becoming aware of

your learning habits or styles will help students to understand why they sometimes

get frustrated with common study methods. He observes that good study habits are

essential to educational success; as they contribute to a successful academic future.

Good study habits lead to good grades while good grades lead to admissions to

better colleges and universities, possibly with a scholarship thrown in. This in turn,

will lead to a great career. Developing good study habits to Marc is very crucial for

every student irrespective of his level of education. It boosts students’ ability to be

self disciplined, self-directed and ultimately successful in their degree programs. The

sooner a student starts practicing and developing good habits, the better chance he

will have that he will continue with them. Procrastination can be overcome with

proper study habits and improving one’s study habits is the key to better studying.

Being organized and having homework routines are the most important things in

helping a child/student develop good study habits for life. Developing good study

habits help spell success and a student will find himself working more efficiently and

experiencing lesser stress in the process. He adds that having effective study habits

creates a more efficient academic environment. Planning your study schedule as a

student in advance and faithfully sticking to it saves time. When students have good

study habits, they tend to be less stressed. Students who are anxious on exam day

are typically the procrastinators who come unprepared. Students who organize their

lives and stick to their established study schedules are confident and relaxed at test-

taking time (Marc, 2011).

Effective studying is critical to success in college, and many new college

students quickly find that their prior study habits need major adjustments. To begin
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making the change, find a quiet, organized space to study. Study with a positive

attitude and specific goals in mind. If you need help, there's no shame in asking.

Your professors and peers are there to help you learn. You can develop excellent

habits that help you navigate the difficulties of college.

EFFECTIVE STUDY HABITS

ALTERNATE YOUR STUDY PLACES

Although some people swear by the library, cognitive scientists suggest that

alternating study spaces is a more effective way to retain information. Memory is

colored by location, and changing your study locales increases the likelihood of

remembering what you’ve learned.

ACTIVELY ENGAGE YOUR BRAIN

Students should keep on actively engage their brain either by taking down

notes or practicing questions side by side. It has been proved that people retain 75%

of the information when they write while they read

TAKE TESTS

Consistent testing can help us relearn and recall information, and it pays off

when preparing for final exams.

SLEEP
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A tired mind is a slow mind. Students should take enough sleep and watch the

CGPA rise.

DON’T CATEGORIZE YOURSELF

Students should not categorize themselves as auditory or visual learners or

as left brained and right brained thinkers. It is more important to figure out which

study strategies work for you than to worry about where you lie on the learning

spectrum.

GO TO CLASS

Students should go to class regularly .It is often seen that students usually

miss their classes either due to the disinterest in the subject or due to disliking for the

instructor.

MANAGE YOUR TIME

The only thing worse than having a deadline is missing a deadline. Students

should stay organized, cut down on procrastination and their work load will feel much

more manageable.

Students cannot perform efficiently without proper learning. For learning,

every student uses different techniques and methods on a scheduled and regular

basis, these habitual practices for studying can be termed as study habits or study

skills used by students (Khurshid, Tanveer & Qasmi, 2012). Study habits and skills

vary from one person to another. According to Azikiwe (1998), study habits are the

approaches and ways a learner employs during his personal study time in order to

achieve the mastery of the subject. Study habits and skills are the learning

techniques that learners use to learn individually. Effective study habits assist
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students to gain mastery of a topic to learn and ensure the good performance in

academics.

Effective time management skills include studying on daily basis, forming

timetables, study plans and utilizing time properly. Spending extra hours for studying

with lack of concentration does not define the appropriate utilization of time.

Concentration is also a significant dimension of study habits. It is the ability to give

attention and avoid distractions while studying. Note-taking is not just writing the

lecture in fact it also needs attention and listening ability to properly note down the

lecture. Strategies used to memorize the learned material are also attributes of study

habits. Effective textbook reading is not only reading the material but also

comprehending the reading material by constructing themes and main ideas (Ayesha

& Khurshid, 2013; Congos, 2010; Osa-Edoh, & Alutu, 2012).

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THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

This study is based on social cognitive theory propounded by Albert Bandura

as early as in the 1960s. Social cognitive theory strongly lays emphasis on one’s

cognition. It suggests that the mind is an active force that constructs one’s reality

selectively, encodes information, performs behavior on the basis of values and

expectations and impose structure on its own actions. It is through an understanding

of the processes involved in one’s construction of reality that enables human

behavior to be understood, predicted and changed. In view of the theory, the

student’s academic achievement is a product of interaction of his personality and

consequently, study behavior he develops basing on his expectations of the outcome

of his actions.
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CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES

STUDY HABITS

Time spent in studying

Outcomes Variables
Taking notes
SEMESTER GPA
Attending classes regularly

Concentrating on study CUMULATIVE GPA

Time management

Alternate your study places

FIGURE 1: This shown the Relationship between Study Habits to their Academic
Performance.

This diagram shows that if a student performs an effective positive or negative

study habits will reflect on their academic achievements.

The concept of study habits focuses on the student's achievements in school.

It is the students' hard work and effort to achieve better academic performance in

their studies. Study habits are part of a student's everyday life in school. It

contributes significantly to the development of knowledge and perceptual capacities.

Study habits tell a person how much he will learn, how far he wants to go, and how

much he wants to earn.

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METHODOLOGY

Research Design

Descriptive research designed was utilized to how the students describe their

study habits and which study habit they will think an effective.

Locale of the Study

This study was conducted at Kabacan Sandigan Colleges Inc. (KSCI),

Kabacan, North Cotabato.

Respondents and Sampling Procedure

The respondents of this study were the students of Kabacan Sandigan

colleges Inc. (KSCI), Kabacan, North Cotabato as they were exploring the different

study habits in their school.

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Research Instrument

The research instrument was composed of three (2) parts: the first part was

about how the students describe their study habits. The second part was to

determine which study habits they will think that is effective.

Data Gathering

The researcher would seek the approval of the Dean of Kabacan Sandigan

colleges Inc. (KSCI), Kabacan, North Cotabato before the conduct of the study.

After the approval has been obtained the questionnaires would be distributed to the

respondents and when they are through answering all the items in the questionnaire

it would tabulated and would be submitted for statistical analysis and interpretation.
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