I always check them, I don't think it was drummed into me during my PPL course, but I remember it from the theory. I suppose it depends on well you link what you learn in the theory to actual flying.
I'm also a very nosey individual and I like to know everything that is going on, which makes me read NOTAMs.
One time checking NOTAMs always stands out for me:
20 knot wind blowing directly cross the main runway (out of limits for me), no problem can use the second runway, only about 5 knots cross on that. NOTAM issued stating the second runway was unavailable all day, had I not read that I would have driven to the airport, pre-flight checked the aircraft, started up and called for tax to then be told the second runway was unavailable, saved me a lot of hassle.