The impact of study habits and personal factors on the academic achievement performances of medical students

Abstract

Background Academic achievement is essential for all students seeking a successful career. Studying habits and routines is crucial in achieving such an ultimate goal. Objectives This study investigates the association between study habits, personal factors, and academic achievement, aiming to identify factors that distinguish academically successful medical students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The participants consisted of 1st through 5th-year medical students, with a sample size of 336. The research team collected study data using an electronic questionnaire containing three sections: socio-demographic data, personal characteristics, and study habits. Results The study results indicated a statistically significant association between self-fulfillment as a motivation toward studying and academic achievement ( p = 0.04). The results also showed a statistically significant correlation between recalling recently memorized information and academic achievement ( p = 0.05). Furthermore, a statistically significant association between preferring the information to be presented in a graphical form rather than a written one and academic achievement was also found ( p = 0.03). Students who were satisfied with their academic performance had 1.6 times greater chances of having a high-grade point average (OR = 1.6, p = 0.08). Conclusion The results of this study support the available literature, indicating a correlation between study habits and high academic performance. Further multicenter studies are warranted to differentiate between high-achieving students and their peers using qualitative, semi-structured interviews. Educating the students about healthy study habits and enhancing their learning skills would also be of value.