HINDRANCES IN REVIEWING FOR EXAMS

A Thesis

Presented to

The Faculty of the Senior High School Department

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

In partial fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Subject

Practical Research

by

Feliz Reynaldo Matanguihan

Rey Christopher Punsalan

Myca Adriane Gorpido

Vincent Docot

Marc Ryan Saja

Breethny Dolot

Adrian Gabriel Delos Santos

Desiree Faye Cruz

John Conrad Sulayao

March 2017
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT 2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3

DEDICATION 4

CHAPTER 1

Introduction 5

Background of the Study 6-7

Theoretical Framework 7-8

Conceptual Paradigm 8

Statement of the Problem 9

Significance of the Study 9-10

Scope and Delimitations 11

Definition of Terms 11-12

CHAPTER 2 Review of Related Study and Literature

Foreign 13-14

Local 15

CHAPTER 3

Research Design 16

Participants 17

Ethical Consideration 17-18

Data Collection, Treatment, and Analysis 18

Establishing trustworthiness 19

CHAPTER 4

Results and Discussions 20-29

CHAPTER 5

Summary and Conclusion 30-32

Recommendations 33-36

APPENDICES 37-48

Page 1 of 49
 RESEARCH ABSTRACT

Some students were having difficulties and problems in reviewing. Somehow,

there were several reasons on why students have difficulties in their process of
reviewing. These could affect the outputs of the students especially on students
who were having difficulty. Reviewing is a kind of refreshing minds for the
upcoming academic written task. Several statements were cited regarding the
main hindrance in reviewing, as well as the other reasons.

This study focuses in students who were having trouble and problems in
studying. The goal of this research is to determine the several reasons of why
students have difficulties in reviewing and to resolve them. The students of
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) were chosen to be
the respondents because it is said that this is the hardest strand in Grade 11.
The environments of the students were intervened. Friends, and how they
affect someone. The different ways of reviewing were asked. Gathering
information about gadgets, and also the social media were cited.

Page 2 of 49
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are very grateful to GOD ALMIGHTY for without His graces
and blessings, this study would not have been possible.

Immeasurable appreciation and deepest gratitude for the help and support
are extended to the following persons who in one way or another have
contributed in making this study possible.

Sir Ryan V. Labana, Practical Research instructor for his support,

advises guidance, valuable comments, suggestions, and provisions that
benefited much in the completion and success of this study. The authors were
very thankful for having such a good adviser like you.

To the respondents for their worthy support and cooperation and time in
terms of providing the author all the needed information.

Page 3 of 49
 DEDICATION

We are dedicating this thesis: to God, to our professor in Practical Research Sir
Ryan Labaña, and to ourselves that motivates and helps us to finish this thesis.
Although there are hindrances on our road they are the ones; who never fails to
inspire us. First and foremost, to our Lord God, for whom we get our strengths,
on finishing and delivering a helpful conclusion about our research. And we like
to extend our greatest gratitude to our Divine Ruler for always guiding us from
above.

Next, to Sir Ryan Labaña, our professor in Practical Research I for being our
mentor and also our guide. Because of you we had finished our work. We think
that if it isn`t because of your help we may never finished this work and we
thank you for that big help. Correcting and supervising us to make a quality
research that can also help our fellow students.

Lastly, to ourselves during the whole process we may have faced some
difficulties and misunderstandings while working on it, but thank you. Thank
you because amidst all of it we continue to work with a goal of finishing this as a
whole team. May we always work together, as a whole team and Good job for a
job well done!

Page 4 of 49
 CHAPTER 1

The Problem and Its Background

Introduction

Exams are the best way to test a student’s knowledge. Without

conducting exams and tests, students do not concentrate in their studies and

do not learn their lessons properly. Exams are necessary in schools and

colleges to find out the real skills, talents and knowledge of the students. All

students are studying their lessons properly to get good marks in exam.

Without exam, there is no chance to express about their knowledge, skills, and

as well as their studying activity.

In PUPSHS, some of the students may have difficulties and

distractions in reviewing for exams. In this case, it is more likely that students

will get lower mark on their exams. If they fail on their exams, it may affect

their grades.

On the new grading system, the coverage of midterm and final

exam is 20% (still depending on what subject). Even though the coverage was

short, it is still the foundation of your grades.

Before exam, students were given their pointers for review. These

may help them to find ease on reviewing for their exam. Reviewers were also

helpful to them.

Page 5 of 49
 In these days, there are many things that distract students in

their concentration. To find out more, the researchers conducted a survey

about the hindrances in reviewing for exams.

Background of the Study

“We’re an advanced species. We have so many useful gadgets to

make our lives easier. But it seems to me that schools have not yet accepted this

fact.

Students still write quizzes and exams even though they have all the

information that they’ll ever need right at our fingertips. With a single push of a

button on our phones or iPods, we can figure out the first 20 digits of Pi, what to

do if you’re trapped under a building in Haiti, and what happened in 1812. So

why do students take quizzes and exams? Is it to make them take school

seriously or is it just to show their commitment to our promising future careers?”

Exams are probably the most dreaded aspect of the academic life.

Like an age old torturing device, every course would have one of these at the

end to the demise of all the students taking it. The debate would always

question “Why do we take exams?” and “Do exams really hold any value other

than rote learning? The common answer would be that exams give an

indication how much one has learnt in the course along with one’s mastery of

Page 6 of 49
the subject. Although this is true, it has been proposed that exams actually

improve one’s memory according to the “Mediator Effectiveness Hypothesis”.

Exams are examinations of what a student has learned, and how

they retain that knowledge, and from that decided whether or not their

expertise is worth of a qualification.

In short, the evidence that you have learned correctly of what you

have listened to, so people will trust you to perform in your chosen field.

Imagine if airline pilots, surgeons or architects were not tested.

Basically anyone who showed up to the classes would be qualified and given an

employment at the end of it.

Theoretical Framework

One thing the researchers would like to discuss here is the reason

why some students fail to review, broadening their knowledge about the

situation that some students are encountering nowadays. Little by little, they

will know the reasons why students fail to review.

As said, students prefer to use gadgets than to review. Yes, it is

impossible for them to stop using gadgets. So the researchers are seeking for

the answers about the problem. Maybe, some students are lack of discipline

Page 7 of 49
when it comes to technologies. What if they will be banned to use gadgets when

examinations are about to come?

One of the reasons is that they do not understand the lessons well,

so some choose not to review.

Conceptual Paradigm

To know the problem in terms of reviewing for exams, the

researchers conducted a survey that aims to gather data about the possible

reasons on why students cannot review well.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Problems in Survey Main
terms of Method hindrance in
reviewing for
reviewing for
exams
exams

Statement of the Problem

This study aim to comprehend the hindrances in reviewing for

exams;

The study specifically aims the following;

Page 8 of 49
 1. What are the possible reasons why students cannot review well for their

exams?

2. Will gadgets really affect a student’s way of studying?

3. How do peers influence student’s studying?

4. Can the students be able to study straight without peeking at their

gadgets? How?

5. Why does the environment affect the students in reviewing?

Significance of the Study

This portion contains persons or groups to whom the importance of

the research is applicable.

Family. Families are being affected because they could feel one’s

burden when a student or one of the members of the family fails something

because of these hindrances.

Oneself. The study is significant to oneself because the result of the

exam that a person is going to take depends on how he/she reviewed and

whether he/she was distracted from reviewing.

Peer Groups. The peers of the student may be affected when the

student is not able to study. Their peers may be the reason why the students

are not able to study for the exams, making the parents decide not to let their

child go with their friend often. Peer groups is a major factor that can influence

the behavior of an adolescent; academically wise. Peers either push the

Page 9 of 49
adolescent to review and exceed academically or not. The behavior of the peers

can cause the teenager to adopt it, for them to be accepted into the group. This

action can change the study habits of an adolescent and the way they review

for an upcoming examination can also be affected. In our research it tackles

the influences of peers to an adolescent and how can a group changes the

behavior or the attitude of a young adult on the way he/she studies.

Students. The study is significant to students, because the students

themselves are the ones who are dealing with exams and they are the ones who

are having trouble reviewing due to several factors.

Teachers. When students are not able to study well; the teachers are

also being affected because those kinds of students commonly achieve low or

failing grades. And because of that, teachers will feel disappointment for they

know that they have done their part good and enough. But other teachers feel

happy because their students are challenged to be better.

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Scope and Delimitation

Researchers conducted a survey to determine exactly what

hindrances in reviewing for examinations are. The survey was conducted in

Polytechnic University of the Philippines and was answered by Senior high

school students during the month of February and March 2017.

General Purpose: To determine what are the hindrances in reviewing for exams.

Topic Discussed: What are those things that prevent them from reviewing?

What are the hindrances in reviewing for examinations? Why are they doing

such things?

Population or Universe: Senior High School students

Place of Study: Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Period of Study: School year 2016-2017

Definition of Terms

Concentration. Seriously focused onto something; ability to give attention.

Cram. Is the practice of working intensively to absorb large volumes of

informational material in short amounts of time. It is often done by students in

preparation for upcoming exams, especially at the last minute.

Easily Distracted. Unable to think about or pay attention to something;

unable to concentrate.

Page 11 of 49
Exam. An assessment intended to measure a test-taker’s knowledge, skill,

aptitude, physical fitness, or classification in many other topics.

Gadgets. An electronic or mechanical device that people buy as a toy rather

than as a practical tool.

Hindrances. A thing that provides resistance, delay, or obstruction to

something or someone.

Reviewing. An act of collecting information based on what you have learned.

Social Media. Is a computer-mediated tool that allow people to create, share or

exchange information, ideas, picture/videos in virtual communities and

networks.

Self-awareness. The capacity for introspection and the ability to recognize

oneself as an individual separate from the environment and other individuals.

Page 12 of 49
 CHAPTER 2

Review of Related Literature and Studies

Foreign

Procrastination is the disease eating away at student productivity –

and with exam season upon us, we're facing an epidemic.

Students are biologically and socially predisposed to put off until

tomorrow what we should do today, says Dr. Piers Steel, author of The

Procrastination Equation. "Aside from the cliché that students are more

impulsive, in your early 20s you're still developing your pre-frontal cortex,

home of the will power.

Teens that stay up late at night cramming are more likely to have

academic problems the following day — doing poorly on the test they studied

for — finds a new study by University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA),

researchers.

Since students increasingly give up sleep for studying as they get

older, the researchers say the problem compounds over time. The study

involved 535 students from Los Angeles high schools. For 14 days during each

of three school years — 9th, 10th and 12th grades — the participants kept

diaries tracking the amount of time they spent studying, how much they slept

at night and whether or not they experienced academic problems the next day,

Page 13 of 49
such as not understanding something taught in class or doing poorly on a test,

quiz or homework.

Pakistan is an underdeveloped nation, majority of our people are living

on the poverty line that can barely make their both ends meet. They cannot

afford even the negligible fees being charged in the government institutions, let

alone the books and uniforms for which they are to pay from their own

pockets. Majority of our young ones are child labor, they indulge in child labor

not only to feed them but to support their families too.

In their country, Pakistan, students face a lot of problems during

their educational career.

They are the most unguided students in the world. Neither the parent

due to their ignorance due to which they can’t chose proper subject and proper

filed nor the teachers due to lack of professionalism are able to guide them.

Lack of guidance is very serious problem which students face.

The purpose of early education is to induce in to the students an

interest of education but children are taught by untrained teachers in their

early stage, so they lose interest in education. The high expectation of families

and absence of guidance affects the ability of the students.

Page 14 of 49
Local

Students increasingly own an expensive range of personal items such

as MP3 players, iPods, laptops and widescreen televisions, a survey suggests.

Despite the harsh economic realities, you’d still find a great number of young

Filipinos, students especially, running around with the latest gadget technology

can offer. The most visible representation would be the mobile phone; Nokia,

Sony Ericson, Motorola are just among the top brands whose latest models

graze the hands, necks, bags and belt pouches of today’s students and young

professionals. Add to this, the mp3 players from Creative, Sony and the much

coveted iPod accompanying the newest models of mobile phones owned by the

Filipino students today, one could easily assume that things are not so bad

here in the Philippines. Or the Philippines is truly modernizing into the future

or something else similar.

Page 15 of 49
 CHAPTER 3

Methodology

This chapter presents the methods to be used in the study, it also

describes the subjects of the study, the instruments used, the procedure of

data gathering and the statistical treatment of the data.

Research Design

A descriptive qualitative phenomenological approach was used,

employing in depth semi-structured interviews with the top 3 excellent STEM

students from the best performing sections. The study’s design was chosen to

find out how they overcome and surpass the hindrances in reviewing for their

exams. And by the help of their responses, we can come up with the necessary

answers to our research that can help or evade those things to be done. The

approach with which the study was conducted provides the necessary

information for the researchers to come up with meaningful and sufficient

answers.

Page 16 of 49
Participants

The participant population consisted of the top 3 excellent STEM

Students from the best five performing sections on the first semester of classes.

The participants (PUPSHS STEM students) are ranged from 15-19 years of age.

Ethical Consideration

Before proceeding to the study, the proposal will be reviewed and will

be approved by the research instructor of the PUPSHS.

With the top 3 PUPSHS STEM students from the first five best

performing sections, the researchers will interview them one-by-one to gather

information to the necessary questions. The researchers will ensure the safety

of the interviewees to prevent harms and accidents during the research. The

interviewees will be interviewed in a safe and quiet place that will make them

comfortable to respond to the researchers.

The researchers will highly acknowledge the rights of the

interviewees to respect their privacies. On the other hand, this research will

benefit the researchers, the respondents and all the students who are

experiencing this now and in the future during quizzes or examinations.

Page 17 of 49
 In addition, all the interviewees were given a formal invitation letter

containing the information and the purpose of the study.

Data Collection

Permissions were secured from the interviewees before the start of the

one on one interview including the recordings of audio tapes during the

interview. Interview guides will be utilized by the researchers. A one on one

interview will be conducted at the Condo-Hotel Room that was picked to create

a quiet and secured place to get in. Interviews were audio-taped and significant

non-verbal data were incorporated as field notes. Notes are written as soon as

the interviewee tells important information that makes the study preserves its

purity. This is done to prevent manipulation to this study.

Data Treatment

Recorded audio-tape interviews were played for clarity and

comprehensive and were translated in verbatim format by the researchers.

Data Analysis

Colaizzi’s phenomenological method was used as a treatment for

analyzing the verbatim transcriptions.

Page 18 of 49
 The researcher continuously listens to the recorded tapes and reads

the analyzed verbatim transcriptions to come up to the information extraction

and formation of patterns. The actual process of the data analysis involved the

assemblage of the narrative information into a well-founded scheme. As

deconstruction and construction progressed, the researchers began to identify

themes and categories, which were used to build a rich description of the

phenomenon hindrances in reviewing for exams. Related data were compressed

together for the formulation of the coding process.

Establishing Trustworthiness

For establishing trustworthiness of the data, interviewee’s validation was

used to check for the veracity and plausibly of the analysis during the

interview. The researchers invited the respondents for a follow up interview for

the checking of the preliminary interpretations, verifications and clarifications

of the verbatim transcriptions. Respondents evaluated the summarized themes

presented whether the researcher’s thematic analysis was considered with their

experiences and audit trailing from the verbatim transcriptions was done to

further establish trustworthiness. The collected data from the review of the

literature were compressed up based on the themes that emerged.

Page 19 of 49
 Chapter 4

Results and Discussion

Participants convey their different points of views on their hindrances in

Reviewing for exams. The interviews identified 5 descriptive expressions from

the guide questions posted to them during the key informant interview.

Questions were focused on the hindrances in reviewing for exams, the two

meaning of the phenomenon on the experiences. Coping the participants’ social

support system there were six major themes that were identified with its

corresponding subthemes emerged, and were integrated to the central lived

experience of the participants. Below is the responds and information gathered

in the researcher’s interview:

Emotional Experience

Participants conveyed the hindrances in reviewing for exams. It was

evident that participants learned many things across the entire experience.

They tried to construct positive perspectives to replace negative ones, to

overcome their senses of failure, and to combat feeling with guilt.

Page 20 of 49
Participant 1 shared

P1: “Siguro po ano, yung stress po ng estudyante kasi syempre pag

magrereview na yung estudyante lalo na yung quiz niya ilang minuto na lang

syempre maprepressure yan, basta pag na pressure ang estudyante mas lalong

kinakabahan siya at di na niya naiisip ang nasa utak niya”

[Maybe the stress of our fellow students, because of course if the students will

review in their quiz in few minutes they will be pressured. When the student is

pressured they will be nervous and their brain will not function well that will

cause mental block.]

Time Management

Most of the students are having an organized time in everything

especially in reviewing. Based on our research most of the participants often

ruined their organization against time because of some distractions.

The Filipino time is in our culture that ruins everything. This is our time

which is not capable for the early birds but for the people who are tend to be

always late at a coincided time. As a result, most of the participants are ruining

their time management because of different distractions.

Page 21 of 49
Participant 1, 2 and 3 shared

P1: “Opo, kunwari diba yung may time management ka na magrereview ka na

lang tapos mawiwili ka sa gadgets kaya ayun parang masisira yung time

management mo.”

[Yes, for example you already have your time management in terms of

reviewing but you are entertained by using gadgets, then as a result your time

management is ruined.]

P2: “Halimbawa malayo ang uwian so kapag halimbawa sinabi ng prof na or

instructor na may test bukas tas ano ang uwian sobrang gabi na so hirap na

magreview ng gabing gabi kaya yun hinabol na lang ng umaga.”

[....the professor or instructor said that there will be a test tomorrow but the

dismissal of the class is very late and you can’t review in the middle of the

night. Instead you are going to catch the lessons in the morning.]

P3: “Nakakaapekto yun pero kung marunong kang mag-time management sa

oras mo parang easy na lang yun sayo......”

[It will really affect you but if you do know how to manage your time it would

be easy.....]

Page 22 of 49
Environment

Environment affects the study habits and pattern of the students. The

participants shared their experiences and opinions of what kind of

environment they need to focus themselves in studying.

Environment is a place or surrounding that a certain person wants to be

there for internalization or for focusing in something. And based on our

respondents most of them wants to be in a quiet place.

Participants 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 shared

P1: “mapuno”

[Surrounded by trees]

P2: “akin siguro kahit saan basta tahimik”

[For me it can be anywhere but quiet]

P3: “mas maganda na po ang tahimik talaga”

[More better if the place is totally quiet]

P4: “may music o kaya habang nagbabasa ay inumin”

[Playing music or while reading I will have any drinks]

P5: “ayoko ng maingay na environment pag nagrereview”

Page 23 of 49
[I don’t want a noisy environment while reviewing]

Distractions

Distractions the students worst enemy in reviewing, it is the one who

ruins your time organization and focus during retrospection. The participants

shared their experiences about their distractions while studying in their

specific subjects.

As a result, most of our participants are easily get distracted by means of

using social media sites, friends and joining extra-curricular activities.

Participants 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 shared

P1: “syempre po mga freindster kapag ano na po talaga nang-aasar tapos

ung...ung way na kunwari nag-aaral ka po tapos bigla sila dumadating

nangggulo po tapos ako din po bilang kaibigan nila madadala na rin.”

[Of course my friends, for example I am busy reviewing then they will come to

distract and tease you. And as a friend you will go along with the flow]

P2: “...means ng paggamit ng facebook, internet, social media tapos yun LoL

minsan mobile legends naadik na nga ako dun eh...”

[By means of using facebook, social media and LoL (League of Legends)

sometimes mobile legends that gets me addictive to it.]

Page 24 of 49
P3: “sa tingin ko unang una social media sites umm.. siguro mas inuuna nila

ung ibang bagay na ibang subject tas nakakalimutan din nila na magreview

dun sa ibang subjects kasi nga may mas inuuna sila....”

[In my point of view first is social media sites, or maybe they do first something

else that is related to other subjects then they will forget to study in other

subjects because they prioritize other subjects.]

P4: “ ... kapag may extra-curricular activities tsaka academic dapat mo

ibalance kase kapag nagfocus ka dun a extra-curriculars may bearing naman

doon sa academic standing”

[When you have your extra-curricular activities and academics you should

balance it because if you do focus on your extra-curricular there will be a

problem in your academic standing]

P5: “... syempre kapag may gadgets nahihirapan kag lalo na kung may katext o

kachat ka nahihirapan ka magfocus doon sa nirereview mo kapag nagtext or

chat ka tapos kapag nanuod ka ng T.V yun lang po”

[Of course if there are gadgets it would be really hard for you, especially when

you have a text mate or chat mate it would be really hard to focus in the

subject you’re reviewing in. And when you are watching a television.]

P6: ”...maybe sa gadget dahil nalulong sila sa paglaro...”

Page 25 of 49
[Maybe because of the addiction in playing gadgets.]

P7: ”...sa gadget di talaga maiiwasan magkaroon ng laro o mga palabas na

maaring dahilan kung bakit nadidistract ang estudyante padating sa pag-aaral

[In gadgets you can never deny that we have application games or movies that

may cause distraction in students when it comes to studying.]

P8: “...kasi kunwari magrereview ka for quiz bee tapos meron pa palang finals

or test quarterly exams so yun nakakaapekto talaga ung minsan ung extra-

curricular or for example nagjojournalism ka ganun mahirap talaga

pagsabayin yung paggawa ng paperworks...”

[For example you are reviewing for a quiz bee then it happens that there will be

a finals or quarterly exams so it will totally affect sometimes the extra-

curricular. Or for example you’re part of a journalism group then it will be hard

for you to do more paper works at a time.]

Distance

The distance between the student’s house and school is a major factor is

studying. Traffic is the most severe problem that the Philippines has, that no

solution has been placed.

Page 26 of 49
 Based on our respondents answers, some of them are totally affected by

this situation that make lessen their time in studying.

Participant 1 and 2 shared:

P1: “halimabawa dito kagaya ko ano malayo sa Caloocan pa ako uwian so

kapag halimabawa sinabi ng prof na or instructor na may test bukas tas ano

ang uwian sobrang gabi na so hirap na magreview ng gabing-gabi kaya yun

hinabol na lang sa umaga.”

[For example, like me I lived in Caloocan then our professor or instructor said

that there will be a test but I came home late so therefore I will catch up the

lessons later in the morning.]

P2: “....kapag mahirap ang biyahe kasi di sila masyado makakpagreview umm..

siguro laging iniisip ung negative effects na lalabas.”

[When commuting is hard the students cannot review well, maybe they tend to

think negative effects that will happen.]

Resources

There are also positive ways on how to review while using gadgets

maybe there are some temptations to do unnecessary things. But some

students use gadgets to collect information and gather data for resources in

Page 27 of 49
reviewing. As of now, senior high schools don’t have any reference books which

is difficult. So some students make way to survive and pass the test

Most of them tend to look at gadgets as a positive picture.

Participant 1, 2, 3 and 4 shared

P1: “ parang un na kasi ung medium natin sa pagrereview.”

[Maybe because that’s already our medium in reviewing.]

P2: “ nakakatamad pag magbubukas ng mga libro.”

[I am so lazy to open or scan books.]

P3: “... let’s use the technology para maapaayos ang pagrereview natin and

gagamitin siya sa pag review din, andito na lahat ng knowledge modern time

na tayo.”

[Let us use the technology to fix our reviewing habits and use it as a review

material. All of the necessary information are here, we are all in modern time.]

P4: “...paano kung nasanay at kung paano may di naturo maraming factors

like resources and kung may resources ka punta ka ng library ung oras mo

magagamit sa byahe..”

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[How about if it is your habit and how about if it is not taught, there are many

factors like resources. And if you do have resources it would be in the library

and it’s time consuming.

Page 29 of 49
 CHAPTER 5

Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations

Summary

The goal of this research is to resolve and to determine the hindrances

that affect student’s studying. In this study, the researchers had distinguished

the possible reasons why students cannot review well for their exams. The

research was conducted School Year 2016-2017. For the gathering of data, 15

students from different sections of the strand Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) were randomly chosen by the

researchers to be their respondents. The researchers conducted an interview

that was created and related to the hindrances in reviewing for exams. The

interview guide contains questions that were given randomly to the chosen

respondents. Researchers grouped the answers of the respondents to find out

the reason why students fail to review for examinations. The reasons that came

out from the said survey are mostly the answers that they need. The results

mostly covered the uses of technology.

Page 30 of 49
Conclusions

Major themes drawn from the phenomenon studied were; 1.) Emotional

Experience 2.) Time management 3.) Environment 4.) Distractions 5.) Distance

and 6.) Resources:

Participants conveyed the hindrances in reviewing for exams. It was

evident that participants learned many things across the entire experience.

They tried to construct positive perspectives to replace negative ones, to

overcome their senses of failure, and to combat feeling with guilt.

Most of the students are having an organized time in everything especially in

reviewing. Based on our research most of the participants often ruined their

organization against time because of some distractions.

The Filipino time is in our culture that ruins everything. This is our time

which is not capable for the early birds but for the people who are tend to be

always late at a coincided time. As a result, most of the participants are ruining

their time management because of different distractions.

Environment affects the study habits and pattern of the students. The

participants shared their experiences and opinions of what kind of

environment they need to focus themselves in studying.

Page 31 of 49
 Environment is a place or surrounding that a certain person wants to be

there for internalization or for focusing in something. And based on our

respondents most of them wanted to be in a quiet place.

The distance between the student’s house and school is a major factor is

studying. Traffic is the most severe problem that the Philippines has, that no

solution has been placed.

Based on our respondents answers, some of them are totally affected by

this situation that make lessen their time in studying.

There are also positive ways on how to review while using gadgets maybe

there are some temptations to do unnecessary things. But some students use

gadgets to collect information and gather data for resources in reviewing. As of

now, senior high schools don’t have any reference books which is difficult. So

some students make way to survive and pass the test.

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Recommendations

Listed below are some recommendations prepared by the researchers for

the students to let them study well for their examinations.

1. Start Early.

Cramming the night before a test may have worked in high school, but

this method will fail you in college. Instead, start studying intently as early as a

week before the scheduled exam. (You should, of course, be studying everyday

between tests, but the vast majority of us do not have the time for this luxury.)

The key here is building knowledge momentum leading to the exam day.

2. Dedicate Time to Studying.

It makes no sense to start early if you don't actually use the time for

studying. The best students dedicate a block of time to studying -- and having

that consistent time earmarked each day helps you avoid other distractions

and gives you a reason to turn away requests of your time.

3. Find the Ideal Study Atmosphere.

Besides having a regular study time, it's also important to find the ideal

place/atmosphere to study. For some students, the quiet of the library is ideal;

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for others, it's in their dorms/apartments with their music playing. Find the

situation that works best for you based on your learning preferences.

4. Know What to Expect on the Exam.

Studying for a multiple-choice exam is different than studying for an

essay exam. Make sure you know the types of questions your professor uses on

his/her exams. If not listed on the syllabus, ask the professor for more details.

5. Review Learning Objectives.

Many professors discuss key learning objectives at the beginning of a

new section of the course, and most textbooks also list learning objectives at

the beginning of each chapter. Use these learning objectives as a foundation for

your studying and level of understanding necessary for the exam.

6. Seek Clarity When Uncertain.

If you come across material while studying that is contradictory or

confusing, raise the issue with your professor for clarity. Not only will asking

the question help you better understand the material (and in theory perform

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better on the test), asking the question will show the professor your dedication

to learning the material.

7. Attend Review Sessions.

If your professor regularly holds review sessions before an exam, make

all attempts to attend it -- even if you are confident about the material. Review

sessions are an excellent chance to ask key questions, clarify issues, and

observe what the professor sees as the most important material. Occasionally,

professors even let slip hints about specific elements of the upcoming exam.

8. Consider a Mock Exam.

If you have taken the time to prepare slowly for the exam, one final

preparation method that some of the best students use is to take a practice

exam a day or two before the actual exam. You can obtain a practice exam in

one of several ways. First, some professors put old exams on reserve in the

library. Second, some textbooks provide practice exams on their Websites.

Third, you can create your own exam. The key here is to test the strength of

your knowledge and understanding of the material.

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9. Get a Good Night's Sleep.

One of the keys to success on exams is a rested brain. Staying up late

the night before -- for whatever reasons -- tires the brain and you'll quickly find

your ability to retrieve information diminishing. Instead, get a solid night's

sleep. If the exam is in the late afternoon or evening, try to find some time in

the day to sit quietly and rest your brain. Eating well also helps your brain

function better.

10. Arrive Early to Class.

Finally, the day of the exam is here. The ideal scenario is arriving to class

early with all the tools you need (pens, pencils, calculators, etc.). Getting to the

classroom early allows you to settle in and mentally prepare yourself for the

exam. Avoid getting into conversations with other students about the exam; the

key here is to take a few moments to relax so that when you receive the exam

you are ready to excel.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Oxford Learner's Dictionaries | Find definitions, translations, and grammar

explanations at Oxford Learner's Dictionaries

http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/?cc=global

Procrastination: a student's worst enemy?

Milana Knezevic
http://www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2012/may/09/student
s-procrastinating-exams

Study or Sleep? For Better Grades, Teens Should Go to Bed Early

Alexandra @acsifferlin - http://healthland.time.com/2012/08/21/study-or-

sleep-for-better-grades-students-should-go-to-bed-early

Problems faced by students in current educational setup & their possible

solutions

http://saypeople.com/2012/04/30/problems-faced-by-students-in-current-
educational-setup-their-possible-solutions

Gadgets and Filipino students

Jhay - http://jrocas.com.ph/archives/gadgets-and-filipino-students/

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Key Study Skills Tools to Achieve Academic Success

Dr. Hansen - http://www.mycollegesuccessstory.com/academic-success-

tools/better-test-prep.html

Page 38 of 49
 APPENDICES

APPENDIX A 39
APPENDIX B 40-41
CURRICULUM VITAE 42-46

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APPENDIX A
Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Manila

March 30, 2017

Engr. Joselinda M. Golpeo

Head Coordinator of STEM strand
College of Engineering and Architecture
Building, Sta. Mesa, Manila

Dear Engr. Golpeo:

REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO CONDUCT RESEARCH

We are Senior High School students from Polytechnic University of the Philippines taking a
Practical Research subject under the advisory of Mr. Ryan V. Labana.

The proposed topic of our research is Hindrances in Reviewing for Exams. The objectives of our
study are:
a) Determine the primary hindrances in reviewing for exams.
b) Inform students how to avoid hindrances in reviewing for exams.
c) Help those students who want to excel and perform better in their classes.

We are hereby seeking your consent to conduct an interview among the PUPSHS STEM students
in PUP Condo-Hotel. To assist you in reaching a decision, we have attached to this letter:
a) A copy of ethical clearance issued by our adviser
b) A copy of the research instrument which we intend using in our research

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me or my adviser.
Our contact details are as follows:

Mr. Ryan V. Labana (Adviser) Feliz Raynaldo J. Matanguihan

0947-146-7292 0915-912-1528
Biopages0104@gmail.com nicomatanguihan@gmail.com

Upon completion of the study, we undertake to provide you with a significant result. Your
permission to conduct this study will be greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Feliz Matanguihan Ryan V. Labana

Signature of Lead Researcher Signature of Adviser

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APPENDIX B

Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Manila

A. INFORMED CONSENT

Research Title: Hindrances in Reviewing for Exams

Determine what the primary hindrances in reviewing for exams are.
Purpose/s: To inform students how to avoid hindrances in reviewing for exams.
To help those students excel and perform better in their classes.

Procedure/s: Name Discomfort/Risks Recovery Time

________________ __________________ ____________________
________________ __________________ ____________________

Subject/participant shall: (1) receive adequate instructions on how to properly participate in the research
proceedings; (2) receive full and adequate compensation and indemnification in case harm or injury arise out of
participation; (3) be free to withdraw his/her consent and to discontinue participation in the research anytime
without prejudice to him/her and no explanation is required.

The researcher shall: (1) answer at anytime, any inquiry of subject-participant concerning the procedure; (2)
preserve anonymity and respect full confidentiality; and (3) be fully responsible and accountable for all
complications, injury, compensation, and the like to subject-participant as a result of any or all of the procedures.

SUBJECT-PARTICIPANT
Name: _______________________________________ Date: __________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________
Birthday: _________________________ Signature: __________________________
Parent's/Guardian's Name and Signature: _____________________________________

RESEARCHER/S
Name Participation Signature Date
Feliz Matanguihan Master Interviewer ________________ 03-30-17
Breethny Dolot Interviewer ________________ 03-30-17
Rey Punsalan Key-note Taker ________________ 03-30-17
Myca Gorpido Key-note Taker ________________ 03-30-17
Desiree Cruz Audio Recorder _________________ 03-30-17
Vincent Docot Observer _________________ 03-30-17
Gabriel Delos Santos Video Recorder _________________ 03-30-17
Marc Saja Observer _________________ 03-30-17
JC Sulayao Observer _________________ 03-30-17

B. Human Subject Participation

The subjects-participants are expected to answer survey questionnaire and participate in an interview
session, either in a One on One (O3) type or Focus Group Discussion (FGD).

C. Rationale of Selecting Participants in an interview

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 The study aims to find out Hindrances in Reviewing for Exams and the participant's responses in an in-
depth interview will give a holistic analysis of the subject matter. An interview guide is designed for this purpose.

D. Number of Human Subject

A purposive sampling will be used in this study. In this type of sampling, the main concern in selecting a
participant is the richness of his/her point of view toward the research topic. There will be no quota for the number
of participants until the saturity of data has already been reached. The expected maximum number of participants for
this study is 30 but for the comfort of the research proceedings, the research will interview 15 participants.

E. Safety Information

A verbal instruction on what to do during the interview session will be given to the participants. There will
be setting of expectation before the session will start and the permission to record the interview will be sought.

F. General Description of the Protocol

The researcher will find a conducive and private place to conduct the interview. The interview could either
be in a one on one method or in a Focus Group Discussion type. There will be more than 5 interviewers to do the
following tasks: being the master interviewer, record the responses of the participants through video and/or audio-
tape, take field notes and additional support. The interview is expected to last for 30 minutes or an hour.

H. Rights and Privileges

 The participation is voluntary and the participants may decide whether or not to take part of the study. A
consent form will be secured and they can withdraw from the participation in anytime they need/want.
 Rights for confidentiality will be secured. The responses will be kept anonymous by assigning codes in any
research notes and documents.
 It is the participant's privilege to request for a result of the study.

I. Benefits of the participants.

There will be no monetary benefits for the participants. However, tokens, as a sign of gratitude, will be
distributed among them. Also, the information obtained from this study may be used by the participants to
strengthen their knowledge on the situation they are in.

I certify that the statements made herein are correct and true.

____________________________
Ryan V. Labana
Signature of Lead Researcher Signature of Adviser

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CURRICULUM VITAE

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