What impedes or enhances my studying? The interrelation between approaches to learning, factors influencing study progress and earned credits

Abstract

The aim of the study is to explore how students' experiences of enhancing and impeding factors and approaches to learning are related to students' study progress. A total of 93 students from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities participated in the study by answering a Learn-questionnaire regarding their experiences of the enhancing and impeding factors and their approaches to learning. Regression analysis showed that working impeded study progression whereas interesting teaching enhanced it. However, the results revealed that the factors that enhance or impede studying appear to be closely mediated by students' approaches to learning. For example, working was not problematic for students with good organising skills. The findings suggest that it may not be possible to identify the factors that would enhance or impede studying without taking individual differences into consideration. In addition, the results imply that the focus in teaching should be in developing students' self-regulation skills.