UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS FACULTY OF PHARMACY 1

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM RATIONALE

1.1.Rationale

It is known that the main aim of the educational institutions is to transfer the

knowledge to the individuals of the new generation and to prepare them for the life.

According to UNESCO, formal education is defined as an institutionalized, intentional

and planned education system of a country. It consists mostly of initial education,

vocational education, special needs education and some parts of adult education which

may comprise higher education as the final stage of formal learning. Throughout the

history, it can be observed that advanced countries give high importance to higher

education, owing their progress primarily to the system developed for higher

education. It is through these means that they produce well- educated citizens. With

each student comes the need to understand each and every one of them and their

different perceptions and attitudes in order to provide the most efficient means of

educating a population. With proper means and resources in education, a population's

general academic performance is expected to be affected positively. Travis et al. (2015)

Academic performance is perceived as a measure indicated by grades and GPA and is

a necessary tool in job or higher education application. According to Hanson (2000)

one’s academic performance is affected by several factors which include learning

abilities, gender and race. Multiple sources which include Magulod Jr. (2018)

Moeinikia & Zahed-Babelan (2010) have investigated that there is a link between

learning styles and academic performance in a university setting. Moreover, a positive

link between study habits and academic performance was proven by Rahim and Meon

(2012).

Illahi & Khandai (2015) states that the individual profile of characteristics

and abilities of each person results from predispositions, learning and development

which manifest as individual differences intelligence, creativity and many more. These

factors greatly affect the academic performance of a student. According to Askari et

al., (2011) Students taking up higher education face a number of academic stresses

which include engaging in activities with a limited time span this would lead one to

believe that they have not yet acquired enough knowledge on a certain topic and cause

them to doubt their thinking abilities. Every student therefore, has his or her own

approach on how to deal with these academic stresses and overcome them. Moreover,

it is likely that every individual has his or her own preference in taking in information

or knowledge in a way that is most efficient for them so as to make use of their time

wisely, prevent misuse of resources and energy. According to Oxford (2001) Learning

style is therefore defined as a general approach that students use in acquiring a new

language or in learning any other subject. (p. 348) From this statement, we may infer

that learning styles are concerned with “how” a student prefers to learn rather than

“what” is to be learned. It can be looked at as a characteristic cognitive, affective, social

or physiological behavior that guide learners in their learning environment. (Gilakjani

& Ahmadi, 2011)

A habit is defined as a process by which a stimulus generates an impulse as

a result of a learned association between the stimulus and the response which affects

one's general behavior. (Gardner, 2015) Constant repetition of behavior leads one to

reinforce this idea to one's mental- behavior context, such that it becomes a constant

stimulus in our memory. Moreover, this context may activate a given behavior in the

absence of awareness or conscious control. (Danner, Aarts, & de Vries, 2008) In

relation to the study, constant positive behavior towards learning guides students to

develop an efficient system adjusted to their needs.

Study habits are the habitual way of practicing the abilities for learning.

(Illahi & Khandai, 2015) Through consistent application of these techniques by

students, it has been stereotyped as the typical habits employed by students. These

habits play an important role measuring intelligence, with intelligence being a

determinant in a student’s academic performance. Intelligence is a combination of

mental processes directed towards effective adaptation to the environment. It is how

students condition themselves with the environment they are set upon. In relation to

study habits, constant practice of this technique would lead the said practice assimilate

with the student’s routine.

A university has certain standards that have to be met by their students.

Students who excel in certain subjects, activities or merit an average score based on a
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standard are recognized by the organization by the end of each semester by the dean

of the college that they attend to. According to the University of Santo Tomas Student's

Handbook (2018), a general weighted average of at least 1.750 in the immediately

preceding term is required. Students qualified for this recognition must be a regular

student, meaning having a full load or enrolled in all courses scheduled for his/her

section. In the case of shifter or transferee, the student must have enrolled for as many

units scheduled for the year level to which he is classified. No failure and incomplete

grade are incurred, including failure and incomplete in PE and NSTP.

The researchers aim to conduct a survey to gather some insight on the

prevailing learning preferences and study habits of 2nd year to 5th year undergraduate

pharmacy students of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Pharmacy.

1.2 Significance of the Study

This study aims to understand study habits and learning styles of top

performing students who are taking up Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy at

the University of Santo Tomas. This may potentially help students who are struggling

and for professionals in the education field to use as basis for their future endeavors.

1.3 Reseach Impediments

Through the findings of the study, it will determine differences and

relationship that exists among certain study habits and learning styles that have an
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effect on the academic performance among second year to fifth year undergraduate

students who have made it in the Dean’s list of their batch school year 2018-2019

in University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Pharmacy taking up Bachelors of Science

in Pharmacy. This study is not limited to students who are currently taking up the

Bachelors of Science in Clinical Pharmacy. The results of this survey shall act only

as a guide and does not seek to impose on any particular system.