Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
The extent of student’s learning in academics may be determined by the grades a student earns for a period of learning has been done. It is believed that a grade is a primary indicator of such learning. If a learner earns high grades it is concluded that they may also have learned a lot while low grades indicate lesser learning. However, many experiences and studies found out that there are also several factors that would account for the grades. No single factor can be definitely pointed out as predicting grades. It has been interplay of so many factors – gender, IQ, study habits, age, year level, parent’s educational attainment, social status, number of siblings, birth order, etc. In fact, almost all of existing environmental and personal factors are a variable of academic performance. However, at this point in time, the researchers would like to investigate the possible relationship of study habits and the factors affecting it to the academic performance of students of University of Cagayan Valley. The investigation of on this area thus becomes a real and compelling motivation for the researchers to conduct this study.
Education as the key to development is mandated to upgrade teaching effectiveness among educators as well as learning efficiency among learners. Many efforts by school administrators have been done to improve the retention of college students. Academic advising, orientations, facility improvements, mentoring, and continuous modifications to curriculum are being made continuously to ensure that the controllable variables are explored without reducing then self-determination of the students. Most of these student support services have proven to be insufficient in improving student retention among large populations of students. Students learn in a variety of ways, and their ability to attain this