Study Habits among First and Last Semester Students of Mashhad Paramedical Sciences School in Academic Year 2016-2017

Background: One of the main purposes of educational centers is improving and developing the students' academic performances. Study habits are the source of academic performance and are important in students' academic achievement. This study was done to investigate the study habits among the first and last semester students of paramedical sciences school. Methods: This present descriptive-analytical study was carried out on the students of Mashhad Paramedical Sciences School who were studying in the academic year of 2016-2017. The study population included 164 undergraduate students studying in the first and last semesters, and finally 154 questionnaires were analyzed. The data were collected using study habits questionnaire (PSSHI). Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 software, as well as data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, frequency distribution) and independent T-Test. Results: In this study, the majority of the students were female (78.9%) and they were not married (85.4). The twelve percent of the participants were studying for the exam only during the semester, 56 (37.3%) students in their semester break, and 76 (50.7%) at the exam night. The mean score of study habits of students was 42 out of a maximum score 90 and was in an average level. There was also a significant relationship between the domains of study habits of students and their gender (P=0.0001). The study condition was better for the students studying in the morning (mean 45±10). The mean score of learning motivation in male and female students were 6.2 and 5.7, respectively, and the mean score of study physical condition were 7.9 and 6.7 out of 12, respectively. Conclusion: The study habits of the students of paramedical sciences school were at an average level, which were` far from the desired condition. Due to the importance of study habits in academic performance and academic achievement, also considering the significant effect of academic performance on a person's job and academic future, attention and planning will be essential in order to improve the students' study habits and practices.