STUDY SKILLS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS OF URMIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Study skills are among the factors affecting students' academic performance, and it is related to their success in future career. This study aimed to investigate the study skills and academic performance of medical students of Urmia University of Medical Sciences and factors affecting them.

In this cross-sectional study, 267 medical students participated who were selected by random cluster sampling. Data were collected using the study skills questionnaire. Based on their average grade point, students were classified into two groups of "good and average" and "poor" academic performances. The mean and standard deviation of study skill scores, also the proportion of the students with good, average, and poor study skills were estimated. The factors affecting students' study skills and academic performance were determined using logistic regression analysis.

In this study, 51% of students had good and average academic performance, and overall study skill score was moderate for 71.5% of students. The highest mean scores were obtained in the dimensions of "information organizing", "time management" and "concentration and memory". The lowest scores were obtained in the dimensions of "motivation and attitude" and "writing". Study skills were related to gender, father's education, grade and age. Academic performance was related to girl gender (OR=2.79, 95%CI: 1.56-4.97), being married (OR=4.69, 95%CI: 1.22-17.98), time management (OR=1.16, 95%CI: 1.05-1.24), and readiness to exam (OR=1.12, 95%CI: 1.01-1.24).

Academic performance and study skills of medical students are moderate. Improving study skills and identifying other factors affecting academic performance should be considered by university officials.