No one can deny the importance of teaching and learning in the whole process of education. This process can only become successful when teachers fully know their subject matter and effectively communicate it to students and while students have a clear view of their abilities, have good study habits and are able to use effective study skills. Learning how to study involves putting away the habits and ideas which have made study unpleasant and burdensome, and talking on habits and ideas which make study more pleasant and fruitful. Why does one individual learn more quickly and thoroughly than other?The main reason for inefficiency in learning is ones carelessness and ineffective study habits. According to New Standard Dictionary of Education, study habits mean theme setting of subject to be learned or investigated, and the tendency of pupils or students to study when the opportunity is given.
Effective and successful study consists of more than merely memorizing facts. It calls for knowing where and how to obtain important information and ability to make intelligent use of it. According to Crow & Crow (1992) the effective habits of study include plan/place, a definite time table and taking brief of well-organized notes.To study successfully a student must decide what information is important and then from opinions concerning it.
All these things must be done to the best of his ability in the shortest possible span of time. Because, knowledge is very important to every person, hence it is wise to learn how to study in the most effective way. Experts are agreed that great success in the field of knowledge is attributed to good and consistent study habits. Like any other activity, skill and dedication are the key points for learning, how to learn.According to Azikiwe (1998) study habits are the adopted way and manner, when a student plans his/her private readings, after classroom learning. So as to attain mastery of the subject.
According to Azikiwe (1998) good study skills are good asset to learners because, these assist students to attain mastery in areas of specialization and consequent excellent performance, while the opposite constitute constraints to learning and achievement leading to failure. Sorenson (1991) while outlining the good basic study habits stated that one must study with the primary intention of understanding.This requires one not to be hurry in getting through instead sustained concentration is necessary. Concentrating on this crucial aspect of learning, researchers investigated several useful techniques and tips for helping students to get the best understanding of their course material in order to achieve full competence in the subject and high grades in examination.
These methods include critical thinking, metacognition, reading text skill, time management, controlling reading difficulties, index system study, enhancing memory efficacy, concept mapping, thinking aloud and MURDER.M- Mood U- Understand R-Recall D-Digest E- Expand R- Review (Hayes, 1989). According to Chastain & Thurbor, (1989) and Martin, (1985) there are many different types of effective studying techniques. One popular study technique is called the SQ4R method.
The”S” and “Q” stand for “Survey” and “Question”, and the “4R” stands for “Read”, “Recite”, “Relate” and “Review”. This method is taught in many introductory psychology courses and is a good way to prepare for tests in almost any course. Similarly, different methods of effective learning include:a) Observation b) Learning by doing c) Reading and reviewing d) Discussing with others e) Experimenting f) Thinking around new ideas and concepts g) Reflecting on what the subject means h) Thinking about practical applications i) Listening and asking questions j) Reformulating-putting something into one’s wordsAccording to Apps (2006) Reed (2004) Rooney & Lipume (2001) sound and persistent study habits reduce test anxiety, enhance student’s ability, improve his performance and develop confidence in him. Learning is doing and it is an active process in which a student must be involved and participating in what he / she is trying to learn. Teaching learning situation in Pakistan is very much in a continuous dilemma.
The survival of Pakistan lies in the fast development. Development cannot be postponed further. In order to contribute to national development, both males and females must play an equal role. Education is one of those fields, which is continuously facing declination for the past fifty nine years.
The importance of adopting effective study habits by students in the whole process of learning has always been ignored. With reference to investigating study habits, all students are important without any gender bias. Pakistan is an ideological and democratic country, demands gender balance between two sections of the population. Unfortunately, women candidates are much disappointed and or lagging far behind their male counter parts in many walks of life. Studies with reference to women’s issues of literacy, education, health, economic opportunity, empowerment and security reveals that Pakistani women are most suffering than men in all of these areas to social development.
According to Mirza & Malik (2000) Educational institutions are mirror of the society. The plight of women needs to excel in their academics pursuit in order to compete with their male counter parts, for which they need to adopt good study habits and effective study skills. Nausheen (2002) suggested that, proper investment of time in students’ life is much important. The actual amount of study time required by an individual depends on his speed and efficiency in the work and his preparation and adaptability for each type of work in which he / she is engaged.Generally it is expected that students spend two hours on self-study for every hours spent in class, especially at the higher level of education and these hours should be properly scheduled for a day or a week and deadline should be settled for each task.
However, in Pakistan firstly students spare much time for self-study and secondly resort to ineffective study skills because of which their performance not only examinations is affected badly, rather they are unable to develop understanding of the concepts, issues and ideas.Very few research studies on the current topic have been conducted in Pakistan. Asma (2001) conducted a study to collect information regarding study habits of university students. Iqbal &Shezadi (2002,p.
60) conducted a research on “Study habits of female students of the university” and concluded that female students of all the departments lack good study habits as well effective study skills.
