THE IMPACT OF STUDY HABIT ON STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 THE STUDY’S BACKGROUND
Learning has been discovered to be a highly complex problem in the fields of education and psychology all over the world. Several researchers have attempted to explain it in various ways, and each description is partially correct. Over the years, research on factors influencing student academic performance has piqued the interest of not only researchers, but also teachers, counselors, psychologists, and school administrators.
Students’ knowledge and application of effective study skills or techniques is referred to as their study method. The term study habit refers to how students study, whether methodically, efficiently, or inefficiently. In accordance with what has been stated above, we can conclude that good study habits will undoubtedly result in positive academic performances and achievement,
whereas inefficient or poor study habits will result in academic failure. Students’ attitudes and study habits toward any subject have been described as a function of passion combined with their belief in that subject, which has a significant impact on their academic performance.
Many factors have been identified in Nigeria that influence students’ ability to cultivate effective and efficient study habits. These factors include: health, motivation, anxiety, and mental state, conducive and suitable environment for studying, textbook availability, and well-equipped libraries.
The causes of poor academic performance among Nigerian students were thoroughly investigated in a study conducted by (Nuthana & Yenagi, 2009). Some of the factors identified include: low student intellectual ability, achievement motivation, a lack of goals, low self-esteem, a low socioeconomic status of the family, poverty, and a poor study habit.
A survey was conducted in some selected Nigerian schools to identify some of the major causes of students’ poor academic performance. Some of the issues identified include insufficient teachers, insufficient school facilities, problems caused by poor parental background, unfavorable government policies, and low educational sector funding (Ajila and Olutola 2007).
Similarly, Ichado (1998) contends that the student’s environment plays a significant role in influencing study habits, which in turn affect academic performance. The concept of study habit is broad because it encompasses nearly all of its subtopics, including study attitude, study method, and study skill.
In a study conducted by Allport (1960), it was argued that developing a good study pattern can significantly improve students’ academic performance. Successful students are said to have a positive attitude toward their studies and to be time conscious about what they have to do.
According to Hussain (2000), study habits are predispositions that students have developed over time toward private readings. According to him, a good study habit is the key to academic success.
Morahan (1999) conducted research and discovered that male and female students study differently (study habit). In this study, he discovered that male students were drawn to courses with more logic and sciences, whereas female students were drawn to simpler courses, which is in line with their passion and may have a positive effect on academic performance of students.
Positive academic performance and achievement are dependent on the student’s ability to schedule his time, plan his studies, develop the habit of concentration, note-taking, mental review, overlearning, and the prudent use of whole and part method massed and distributed learning, among other things. In other words, good academic performance is a result of good study habits and skills. Because study habits are such an important aspect of learning, it is necessary to investigate their nature.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Problems with study habits can have a significant impact on a student’s academic performance; it is believed that everyone has a different study habit, and it is important to determine the best personal way to study. Studying with friends has a long way to go in students’ study habits; it has a positive influence in that they discuss what they have read together, but it also has a negative influence in that they may not read but discuss throughout the time allotted for reading, resulting in time waste.
A very good and conducive environment encourages students’ study habits, which may have a positive impact on their academic achievements; however, students reading in an unfavorable environment may find it difficult to study, which may have an impact on their academic achievements. Students with financial constraints might also find it difficult to perform excellently well in their academics
1.3 THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVES
The following are the study’s objectives:
1. To investigate the relationship between study habits and academic performance.
2. To investigate the impact of study environment on study habits.
3. To identify the factors that influence students’ study habits and academic performance.
1.4 QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH
1. Is there a link between study habits and academic performance?
2. What effect does the study environment have on study habits?
3. What factors influence students’ study habits and academic performance?
1.5 THE HYPOTHESIS
1st Hypothesis
HO: There is no statistically significant link between study habits and academic performance.
HA: There is a strong link between study habits and academic performance.
2nd Hypothesis
HO: There is no significant relationship between the study environment and the academic performance of students.
HA: There is a significant relationship between the study environment and the academic performance of students.
1.6 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY
The following are the study’s implications:
1. The findings of this study will assist students in understanding the impact of study habits and study environment on academic performance and will serve as a guide for a positive outcome.
2. This research will also serve as a resource base for other scholars and researchers interested in conducting additional research in this field in the future, and if applied, will go so far as to provide new explanations for the topic.
1.7 STUDY SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
This study on the impact of study habit on academic performance of students will cover various approaches to study and its effect on the academic performance of students.
Financial constraint- Inadequate funding tends to impede the researcher’s efficiency in locating relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in the data collection process (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint- The researcher will conduct this study alongside other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.
1.8 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
Study: the use of one’s mind to gain knowledge, such as through reading, investigation, or reflection.
A habit is a learned behavior pattern that is followed on a regular basis until it becomes almost involuntary.
Performance is the completion of a given task as measured against known preset standards of accuracy, completeness, cost, and speed.
Students are people who are formally engaged in learning, such as those who attend school or college.
REFERENCES
Ajila and Olutola (2007) investigated the relationship between broken homes and academic performance of secondary school students in Oredo LGA, Edo State, Nigeria. Publisher of a college student journal, June 2012, 6 (2).
A. Hussain (2000) The Effect of Guidance Services on Secondary School Students’ Study Attitudes, Study Habits, and Academic Achievement.
S.M. Ichado (1998) The Effect of a Broken Home on Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in English. Journal of Counseling Psychology Research.4 (1):84-87.
J. Morahan-Martin, J. Morahan-Martin, J. Morahan-Martin, J. Morahan-Martin, J. Morahan-Martin, J. Morahan-Martin, J. Morahan- Absract
Nuthana, P.G., and Yenagi, G.V. (2009): The impact of study habits and self-concept on academic achievement in boys and girls. Vol.22, No.51135-1138, Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences
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