Research on study habits among college students demonstrates a difference between what students should do and what they actually do. We sought to understand students' break-taking habits and perceptions within the context of study behaviors. One hundred and sixteen undergraduate students responded to a survey of their study break-taking behaviors,…

Background: Practice tests have been shown to be an effective means to foster long-term retention in higher education, at least compared to restudying (i.e., the testing effect). Objective: The present study replicated and extended prior research by examining whether and to what extent the positive effects of testing on long-term retention in a…

We design a commitment device for college students, "Study More Tomorrow," conduct a randomized controlled trial testing a model of its takeup, and measure its effect on tutoring attendance and grades. The device commits students to attend tutoring if their midterm grade falls below a prespecified threshold. Unlike other commitment…

Prior research suggests that the effectiveness of retrieval practice may be moderated by response format: overt retrieval (e.g., typing a response) outperforms covert retrieval (e.g., mentally recalling a response) for complex materials like definitions, but both forms of retrieval are equally effective for simple materials like single words.…

General chemistry is often the first course taken by students interested in careers in STEM and health fields, and therefore, is considered an essential course for the success and retention of students in these fields. Prior studies have shown study habits and skills to be related to student performance in college-level courses, including STEM…

Studying for exams forms a significant part of the occupational therapy graduate school experience. While successful completion of exams is a central focus for students, little time is devoted to explicitly teaching new graduate students how to most effectively study. Instead, when they enter their occupational therapy programs, students…

Learning space has expanded to spaces outside the traditional classroom, such as public transport, cafés, or parks, where students can easily engage in learning activities. In order to understand whether students use classrooms outside class time, where their learning takes place, why, when, and with whom, students' experiences should be at the…

Phubbing is not only a consequence of technological advancements but also represents an entirely novel aspect of social conduct, impacting students' academic performance and the sustainability of development. The purpose of the study is to identify the relationship between students' level of phubbing, academic engagement and academic performance…

Language mindsets influence learners' behavior, motivation, and strategic approaches to studying a language. These mindsets impact how learners perceive control and value in achievement activities, which, in turn, affect their achievement emotions and ultimately their learning strategies and academic performance. This study investigates the…

Evidence abounds that passive strategies such as rereading or highlighting are less effective than active strategies such as drawing models or explaining concepts to others. However, many studies have also reported that students tend to use learning strategies that they perceive as comfortable and easy, even when other strategies may be more…

The societal demand for graduates with expertise in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) stands in contrast with prevalent issues of diminished interest among high school students in STEM subjects and low completion rates in STEM academic programs. In the Flemish educational context, heterogeneity in STEM preparedness of…

Background and Aims: The hypothesis that study strategies can compensate for less study time in predicting learning outcomes has often been proposed but rarely tested empirically. Methods: In the present study, 231 university students reported their daily perceived time spent on self-study, study strategies (planning, monitoring, concentration and…

Objective: Beginning in the spring of 2020, college students adapted to a myriad of COVID-19 pandemic-related stressors including personal and family health concerns, social isolation and future uncertainty that affect sleep behavior. We investigated how the pandemic affected ecologically recorded sleep patterns, self-reported stress and lifestyle…

Formative assessments, such as exit tickets, are effective tools for enhancing student reflection and understanding. While prevalent in K-12 education, their application in higher education remains underexplored. This study investigates the implementation of exit tickets in an undergraduate Principles of Marketing course, aiming to evaluate their…

Students and educators often face time constraints, making it essential to develop interventions that are both easy to implement and have a substantial impact on learning and performance. One promising strategy is retrieval practice, particularly in the context of physics education, where many students struggle with basic knowledge. Prior research…