INTRODUCTION
One of the important problems which confronts the present-day teacher is how to raise the efficiency of the students in their procedures of study in the various school subjects. Many methods of supervised or directed study are being tried. The socialized recitation is now a part of the regular classroom routine in many high schools. By this method pupils "take an active part, in defining the problem under consideration, in securing data, in presenting these data for class criticism, and in raising questions. Classroom study is now eliminating much of the former home study, especially in the elementary and junior high schools. The purpose of this method is to train students, under the guidance of the teacher, in habits of study.
Student’s academic performance occupies a vital role in education as well as in the learning process. It is a key criterion in judging one’s total potential and capacities. It is used to pass judgment on the quality of education offered by academic institutions. In fact, it is still the most topical debate in many learning institutions that caused great concern to educators and researchers.
In a more recent meta-analysis, Crede and Kuncel (2008) found that non-cognitive factors like study habit, skill and study motivation, among other attitudinal constructs, accounted for incremental variance in academic performance beyond standardized tests and previous grades. Moreover, a literature review by Nagaraju (2004) pointed out that, for good academic success, good study habits and attitudes are important. Hence, it is imperative and desirable that a probe into the pattern of study habits and attitudes of students be made.
Numerous studies have been carried out which focused on cognitive factors as predictors of academic success. Recently, there has been a growing interest on the non-cognitive factors. A number of researchers have