Concentrating on this crucial aspect of learning, researchers investigated several useful techniques and tips for helping students to get the best understanding of their course material in order to achieve full competence in the subject and high grades in examination. These methods include critical thinking, metacognition, reading text skill, time management, controlling reading difficulties, index system study, enhancing memory efficacy, concept mapping, thinking aloud and MURDER. M- Mood U- Understand R-Recall D-Digest E- Expand R- Review (Hayes, 1989). According to Chastain & Thurbor, (1989) and Martin, (1985) there are many different types of effective studying techniques. One popular study technique is called the SQ4R method. The”S” and “Q” stand for “Survey” and “Question”, and the “4R” stands for “Read”, “Recite”, “Relate” and “Review”. This method is taught in many introductory psychology courses and is a good way to prepare for tests in almost any course. Similarly, different methods of effective learning include:
a) Observation
b) Learning by doing
c) Reading and reviewing
d) Discussing with others
e) Experimenting
f) Thinking around new ideas and concepts
g) Reflecting on what the subject means
h) Thinking about practical applications
i) Listening and asking questions
j) Reformulating-putting something into one’s words
According to Apps (2006) Reed (2004) Rooney & Lipume (2001) sound and persistent study habits reduce test anxiety, enhance student’s ability, improve his performance and develop confidence in him. Learning is doing and it is an active process in which a student must be involved and participating in what he / she is trying to learn.Teaching learning situation in Pakistan is very much in a continuous dilemma. The survival of Pakistan lies in the fast development. Development cannot be postponed further. In order to contribute to national development, both males and females must play an equal role. Education is one of those fields, which is continuously facing declination for the past fifty nine years. The importance of adopting effective study habits by students in the whole process of learning has always been ignored. With reference to investigating study habits, all students are important without any gender bias. Pakistan is an ideological and democratic country, demands gender balance between two sections of the population. Unfortunately, women candidates are much disappointed and or lagging far behind their male counter parts in many walks of life. Studies with reference to women’s issues of literacy, education, health, economic opportunity, empowerment and security reveals that Pakistani women are most suffering than men in all of these areas to social development. According to Mirza & Malik (2000) Educational institutions are mirror of the society. The plight of women needs to excel in their academics pursuit in order to compete with their male counter parts, for which they need to adopt good study habits and effective study skills. Nausheen (2002) suggested that, proper investment of time in students’ life is much important. The actual amount of study time required by an individual depends on his speed and efficiency in the work and his preparation and adaptability for each type of work in which he / she is engaged. Generally it is expected that students spend two hours on self-study for every hours spent in class, especially at the higher level of education and these hours should be properly scheduled for a day or a week and deadline should be settled for each task. However, in Pakistan firstly students spare much time for self-study and secondly resort to ineffective study skills because of which their performance not only examinations is affected badly, rather they are unable to develop understanding of the concepts, issues and ideas. Very few research studies on the current topic have been conducted in Pakistan. Asma (2001) conducted a study to collect information regarding study habits of university students. Iqbal &Shezadi (2002,p.60) conducted a research on “Study habits of female students of the university” and concluded that female students of all the departments lack good study habits as well effective study skills.