Students of the Agona Kwanyako Senior High School, have benefited from a day’s forum on Study Habits among Senior High School (SHS) students, and their counseling implications.

The students were schooled on the importance of group studies, the need to eschew bad studying groups, and to solicit the help of the school counselor when they face difficulties in their studies.

The programme was organized by the Guidance and Counselling Practicum Two Group 10 of the Department of Psychology and Education of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).

They counseled them on techniques for effective study habit formation, and also encouraged them to cultivate the habit of reading and always consult a subject lecturer when they had difficulties with the subject, and the need for each of them to have a private time table for studies.

In a paper presentation by Mr. Timothy Kpabitey Baah, a student, on behalf of the group, they emphasized the need for students in SHS to schedule their programmes, in order to have adequate light in their studying places, vary their study techniques, in order to increase their concentration, to set goals, think about the later use of the notes when they are taking them, time to understand the examination questions thoroughly before answering them.

On hindrance to effective study habits, the group stated that the reader deviates from the actual reading and pretends to be reading which if such a habit is not curbed, it can lead to loss of interest in the acquisition of knowledge.

They further stated that, there is the need for professional counselors to be employed in the educational institutions to help nurture good developmental behavior among the students, as well as academic achievement strategies.

Mr. Francis Duodu Addo, District Chief Executive of Agona West, who deputized for Mrs. Queenstar Pokua Sawyer, Deputy Central Regional Minister, and the Member of Parliament for the area, advised the students to concentrate on their studies to enable them pass their examinations with better grades to gain admission into the Universities.

He said government is providing the necessary infrastructure and materials to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning, and added that since the act of learning is to acquire skills and knowledge to become useful in society, there is the need for students and pupils to let their education be their top priority, in other to be well-informed in society.

Mr. Samuel Salifu, Assistant Headmaster in-charge of Administration, who deputized for the Headmaster, commended the organizers of the programme, and used the occasion to highlight challenges the school have.

He appealed to the DCE and the MP to lobby for the completion of on-going projects in the school, to help enhance teaching and learning.