Einleitung: Warum Studierenden sich an die Studienberatung wenden und welchen geschichtlichen Hintergrund die Institution der Studienberatung hat, wurde bereits erforscht, aber die genaue Umsetzung und die genauen Auswirkungen auf Studierverhalten, Studiergewohnheiten und Leistungsmotivation von Studierenden stellen Forschungslücken dar. Diesen Aspekten wird im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit nachgegangen. Methoden: Mit 36 Studierenden aus den Bachelorstudiengängen (Betriebswirtschaftslehre, Physik und Sozialwissenschaften) der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin sowie mit 9 StudienberaterInnen von verschiedenen weiteren Berliner Hochschulen/Universitäten wurden Interviewgespräche durchgeführt. Die Studierenden haben zusätzlich zum Interview auch einen Fragebogen ausgefüllt. Ergebnisse: Die Auswertung der Daten zeigt, dass die Inanspruchnahme der Studienberatung positive Effekte auf Studierverhalten, Studiergewohnheiten und Leistungsmotivation zeigt. Eine Fachauswahl sollte aufgrund von inhaltlichen Interessen und Fähigkeiten und nicht nur aufgrund von Jobaussichten oder der Empfehlungen von Verwandten erfolgen, um ein besseres Studierverhalten, positivere Studiergewohnheiten und eine höhere Leistungsmotivation zu haben. Die Studienberatung hilft, eine adäquate Fachauswahl zu treffen, sei dies bereit vor Studienbeginn oder bei einem geplanten Studiengangwechsels. Schlussfolgerung: Die Funktionalität der Studienberatung sollte in verschiedenen Medien (z.B. Internet, Aushänge) noch deutlicher und detaillierter erläutert werden, damit die Studierenden ihre Vorteile kennen und nutzen können. Es ist wichtig, spezielle Beratungsstellen in Zukunft noch eingehender zu untersuchen, wie zum Beispiel die Studienberatung für ausländische Studierende. Die vorliegende Studie stellt einen ersten Schritt in diese Richtung dar. / Introduction: Reasons for contacting of students with the study advisory services and the services historical background have already been explored, but that process and its impact on study behavior, study habits and academic achievement motivation of students is not explored. These aspects are investigated in the work at hand. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 36 students which have been selected from undergraduate programs (Business Administration, Physics and Social sciences) of the Humboldt University of Berlin and as well with 9 study advisors of various Berlin Colleges/Universities. Students have additionally answered a questionnaire. Result: Analysis of the data shows that utilization of study advisory services helps to move study behavior, study habits and academic motivation in positive direction. To have a good study behavior, study habits and academic achievement motivation, a study field should be selected according to interests and abilities rather then because of job opportunities or recommendations of relatives. The study advisory services help to make an adequate study subject choice before the beginning of studying or when changing a field of study. Conclusion: Functionality of study advisory services should be better advertised and explained (e.g. on the internet, by notices on notice boards) so that the students know its advantages and make use of the service. It is important to have further research projects on this matter, for example regarding study advisory services for foreign students and its effects. The study on hand represents a step in this direction.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the differential levels of study habits between upper and lower academic achievers in secondary school in Embu County, Kenya. The study explored the current literature related to the study and carried out an empirical investigation towards this end. The target population for the study comprised all Form 4 secondary school students in all public secondary schools in Embu County. The student study samples were drawn from 50 out of 156 public secondary schools in the County. Students were drawn from both county and district level of secondary schools. Purposive sampling was used to select the uppermost and lowermost academic achivers over a period of two preceding years. Data was collected by using differently marked questionnaires for prio-determined uppermost and lowermost academic achievement groups of respondents. Each questionnaire comprised of four sections: Bio-demographic information, study habits, internal locus of control and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy and locus of control are some of the covert study habits. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics (percentages, means, distribution, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics especially analysis of variance (ANOVA). A pilot study was undertaken to check and enhance on the validity and reliability of the research instruments before commencement of the actual research study. Data was presented in tables, bar and linear graphs. Findings indicated that the upper quartile achievers had higher scores in internal locus of control but not study habits and self-efficacy. Students at lower level of achievement performance reported stronger study habits and self-efficacy compared to their upper performance counterparts. Bio-demographic factors (age, gender, school level, residential status) had very little, if any, influence on students level of study habits, self- efficacy and internal locus of control. The study recommended that stakeholders especially parents, teachers and other significant members of the community should endeavour to help students acquire and develop strong internal locus of control in order to be able to actualize their study habits and self-efficacy to attain higher academic performance and achievement as would be expected of students reporting such levels in study habits and self-efficacy in academic environment. / Educational Psychology / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the differential levels of study habits between upper and lower academic achievers in secondary school in Embu County, Kenya. The study explored the current literature related to the study and carried out an empirical investigation towards this end. The target population for the study comprised all Form 4 secondary school students in all public secondary schools in Embu County. The student study samples were drawn from 50 out of 156 public secondary schools in the County. Students were drawn from both county and district level of secondary schools. Purposive sampling was used to select the uppermost and lowermost academic achivers over a period of two preceding years. Data was collected by using differently marked questionnaires for prio-determined uppermost and lowermost academic achievement groups of respondents. Each questionnaire comprised of four sections: Bio-demographic information, study habits, internal locus of control and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy and locus of control are some of the covert study habits. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics (percentages, means, distribution, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics especially analysis of variance (ANOVA). A pilot study was undertaken to check and enhance on the validity and reliability of the research instruments before commencement of the actual research study. Data was presented in tables, bar and linear graphs. Findings indicated that the upper quartile achievers had higher scores in internal locus of control but not study habits and self-efficacy. Students at lower level of achievement performance reported stronger study habits and self-efficacy compared to their upper performance counterparts. Bio-demographic factors (age, gender, school level, residential status) had very little, if any, influence on students level of study habits, self- efficacy and internal locus of control. The study recommended that stakeholders especially parents, teachers and other significant members of the community should endeavour to help students acquire and develop strong internal locus of control in order to be able to actualize their study habits and self-efficacy to attain higher academic performance and achievement as would be expected of students reporting such levels in study habits and self-efficacy in academic environment. / Educational Psychology / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)