Content area
Abstract
This case study investigated how five community college students studied for one general psychology course test. Students wrote a study plan, kept study journals, and were observed during a study session. They were also interviewed about studying within several weeks following the course test. Lecture notes, study materials, and study traces were collected and analyzed. The story of studying that emerged included themes of studying logistics, study processes, commitment to learning, studier self-perceptions, and social influences and revealed practical information about what, where, and with whom students studied, how they studied, and what influenced their studying. Findings led to the development of profiles describing the best and the worst of college student studying. Additionally, three key factors that made a difference in studying were identified and explained: commitment to learning, systematic studying approach, and learning and social supports.
