TO EXPLORE THE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND STUDY HABITS OF TOPPER STUDENTS AT UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL: A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study aimed, to explore the socio-economic status and study habits of topper students at undergraduate level. The study was qualitative in nature and the population of this study was the undergraduate students of University of Peshawar (UoP), Pakistan. The study adopted purposive non-probability sampling technique with 13 social science departments and the sample of the study was 26 students namely the top two students of 6th or 8th semester of the social science departments. The semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, and Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis technique was used for analysis. It was found that the majority of the top performing students are from upper middle-class families that value education. They tend to have highly educated families with supportive environments, which are conducive to academic success. These pupils have greater access to nearly all types of educational resources and opportunities which help to achieve their academic success. The study revealed that socioeconomic status (SES) profoundly affects the students' academic experiences, psychological wellbeing, and self-confidence. The students from higher socioeconomic status have better access to educational resources and those from lower socioeconomic status experience difficulties, such as a lack of financial resources, or an inferiority complex. The study also identified some crucial study habits in the classroom and at home that are highly beneficial to the success of these students. These are habits of mind: regular class attendance, active note taking, daily study/reading, effective time management, anticipation of exams, and preferred quiet, organized setting for individual study. Furthermore, students with high achievement levels demonstrate high levels of self-belief, highly active involvement in the co-curricular program and motivation from family and teachers. The study suggests that financial assistance should be directed towards students and good study habits promoted through workshops and counseling services within educational institutions. The government should make attempts to ensure equity in access to educational resources for students from all socio-economic backgrounds. In addition, parents should instill a positive and encouraging atmosphere at home that encourages children to learn from a young age to have effective study skills. Further studies are recommended on pure science students with the same methodology and investigations of the effect of digital learning tools on improving study habits by future researchers.