Study Skills and Habits of the Students in Tehran Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences in the Academic Year 2008-2009

The variety and large volume of study materials of Medicine is an important issue and for a good learning, adapting adequate study skills and habits is necessary for the students of Medicine. A regular study plan as well as following appropriate study skills and habits is of a great importance. This study was carried out to investigate study skills and habits of students in Tehran Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a questionnaire including 27 questions for the assessment of study habits (time management, concentration, reading speed, note taking, and comprehension) was designed based on cook counselling center and after confirming the reliability and validity (α=0.89), was distributed among medical students. Lower mean score showed better study habits. In statistical analysis, p<0.05 was considered as the significant level. More than 80% of the respondents preferred to study in the evening and at night. Male students were significantly better than females in time management (p<0.05) and single students were significantly better than married students in note taking, reading speed and comprehension (p<0.05). In the domains of time management and reading comprehension, interns had significantly better habits than others (p<0.05). Holding some study skills workshops or considering some related courses in the curriculum, especially in the beginning of university program in order to modify learning process is highly suggested