Study Skills and Factors Influencing it among Health Sciences Students of Urmia University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Studies show that in addition to intelligence and emotional characteristics of learners as well as quality of education, study skills and strategies play an important role in learners’ academic achievement especially for university students. The aim of this study was to investigate study skills and factors influencing it among health sciences students of Urmia University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this descriptive cross sectional study, 340 health sciences students were selected using census. Data was collected via Study Skills Assessment Questionnaire of Counseling Center of Houston University (SSAQ-CCHU). After the questionnaire was translated and its reliability and validity was confirmed, it was used to assess students’ study skills. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Mean score and standard deviation of study skill scores were 172.5±23.2 out of 240 among students under investigation. Study skills were reported to be weak among 5(1.2%), moderate in 295(86.8%) and good among 40(12%) students. Among different areas of study skills, the highest scores respectively belonged to time management, concentration, and memory that were considered to be in the good level, and other areas were put in subsequent levels. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between study skills scores with students' family accommodation status (p=0.02, t=2.15) and their academic level (p=0.03, t=1.47). Conclusion: Although study skills for majority of participants showed a moderate level, but it was far behind good/desirable level. Therefore, improvement and promotion of study skills among university students require for designation and implementation of educational programs regarding study strategies and to be considered by academic institutes and education centers.