Exploring Study Habits of Secondary Ashram School Students: Evidence from Kandhamal District, Odisha

Abstract

The main objective of the present study was to explore the study habits of the Scheduled Tribe students in secondary Ashram schools of Kandhamal district, Odisha. The study was conducted to assess the extent of study habits among male and female students and to make a comparison between the study habits of selected dimensions by gender. The descriptive survey method was used. The sample consisted of 100 students (50 Male and 50 Female) of grade IX of five secondary school ashram of Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district. The Study Habit Inventory was used to collect data and the independent-samples t-test was used to analyse the data. The results indicated that most students' study habits were very good to extremely good. For males, 34% had extremely good and 30% had very good study habits, in comparison, 38% of female students had extremely good and 42% had very good study habits. Study habits for overall scores showed a significant difference between Male and Female (t = 4.923, p < .05). There were no significant differences between Male and Female in the number of notes taken, textbooks read, study time, memory, and the preparation for exams, based on the dimension-wise analysis; Male showed a slightly higher score in time management. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the academic habits of the students of secondary Ashram schools generally tend to be positive, but specific interventions aimed at improving their time management and learning support strategies could further boost their academic performance. The results have implications for teachers, school administrators, and policymakers who work to enhance educational outcomes in tribal residential schools.