Impact of Academic Anxiety, Study Habits and Attitudes on High and Low Achievers

Anxiety is a common phenomenon of everyday life. The pressure of performing better and scoring high is increasing. Cases of suicides and extreme behaviors are also noted in present day scenario. In order to improve study habits, increase confidence, and reduce the academic anxiety levels of school going adolescents under ever-changing modern trends of society, a study on the variables of academic anxiety, and study habits and attitudes was conducted to know the impact of these on their achievement. The sample included 360 students from class ninth, both males and females, high and low achievers from the selected Government schools of Chandigarh located in urban, rural and slum areas. Academic Anxiety Scale for Children (AASC) by Singh and Sen Gupta (1984), and Test of Study Habits and Attitudes by Mathur (1983) were used. The findings of the present study revealed that overall academic anxiety among the high and the low achievers was average; no significant difference was found. The study habits of high achievers were satisfactory whereas poor study habits were found in low achievers. Further, low achievers scored higher in the corresponding areas which indicated that help is required. The males and females had average academic anxiety. No gender difference was found in academic anxiety; both reflected poor study habits (males were better in correct study habits; females reported higher in areas of help required. There was found average academic anxiety, and poor study habits in all the three locales. The slum area students reflected to be more in need of help in the areas related to study habits and attitudes.