The Factors of the Students’ Decision in Choosing their College Courses

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND IT'S SETTINGS

Background of the Study

Dreams can be pure make-believe. Dreams may also be based on goals that can be realized.
Fulfilling such dreams requires information and knowledge – information about the requirements for
reaching goals, and knowledge of one’s strengths and limitations. The forefathers of mankind sought to
provide individual freedom in a moral democracy in which different races, creeds, abilities, and interests
might exist as a harmonious whole. Safeguarding that freedom, however, imposes on them a very real
responsibility: First, responsibility to society, for no group is stronger or has higher purposes than its
individual members; and second, responsibility to their own self fulfillment. Decision-making is the
logical way of setting one’s mind to choose amidst the possibilities to satisfy man’s ease. This is true as
stated that good decision-making is an essential skill for career success generally, and effective
leadership particularly. It is true that for an individual to be successful, the person must possess good
decision-making.

Every day we make decisions, whether big or small and these decisions can make huge impacts in
our lives. As the person progresses, his or her ability to decide improve, allowing the individual to make
better and wiser decision in life. Failure to make the right decision often leads to downfall.
Methodologically speaking, decision-making is not all fun and games, some deal with people, others deal
with future careers. Graduating high school students face one of the most crucial decisions in their lives,
and that is future career decision. These students face the fact that this certain adjudication will decide
their future. Deciding on which college to attend to is not a “gut reaction”. It requires mature and serious
discussion, and may not, despite the long run, lead to initial choice. However, during this crucial stage in
each student’s life, there are some factors in which results to confusion, and further lead to a mistake.
Some parents think that what they suggest to their children in what course to pursue is better, yet they
tend to ignore what their children desire. Other factors include: financial stability, university prestige and
of course, practicality. And because of these, some students graduate in courses they do not really like.
On the other hand, others pursue their desired course with no doubt, and they were able to graduate
with high spirits. One of the suggested elucidations is for the parents to talk with their children. Then it is
up to the child whether they will agree or not. Other solution involves letting the child decide on their
own. Deciding for oneself helps the individual to develop and progress in life.
 The researchers conducted this study in order to know the factors that affect student’s
decision in choosing their college courses. This study also includes the effect of these factors to
psychological aspect of the youth. And finally, to make the readers understand the statement, “Put your
future in good hands-your own.” – Author Unknown

Statement of the Problem

The Students students decision making in choosing their college courses

1. What are the Factors that graduating students decision in choosing their college courses?

1.1 Do parents dictate what their children MUST choose?

1.2 Does financial stability affects (or support) the availability and duration of the course?

1.2.1 for example, medical courses need above average financial support since it is. subjected for 8-10
years and includes laboratory equipment and surgery apparatus

1.3 Are teenagers concerned of the practicality of the course?

1.3.1 Many people (especially the youth) demand for job's right after graduation.

1.3.2 The youth today wants to secure a stable job after taking the courses.

2. What are the experience of college students after they influence by the factors mentioned above?

2.1 Do they experience boredom or they want to quit as soon as possible?

2.2. Do they experience difficulties?

2.3 Do they just continue it since they don't like to dissapoint their parents?

3. In the present time, how are those who graduated / completed the course that they like? How about
those whom they didn't?

3.1 Are they successful or not?

3.2 What are their experiences?

4. Does "Bandwagon" effect influence most of the youth mind especially when it is confused in choosing
the right path?
Hypothesis of the Study

The researchers hypothesized.

1. There are significant differences between the factors that college decision-making in percent of the
participants.

2. There are significant relationships between the factors that college decision-making in percent of the
participants.

Review of the Related Literature

Based on Statistics, more than 15,000 typical young people have problems about school.
Surprisingly, most students approve wholeheartedly of their schools. Despite a certain amount of
groaning and grumbling, 79 percent of those polled frankly admit that they like school. Only 6 percent
dislike it so much that they would like to quit. Despite their general approval, however, many young
people complain that their problem is not knowing how to study effectively. Big majorities mention
problems that stand in the way of getting the most out of school. Here are some of those problems: I
would like to do well I my school work, but I do not know how to study effectively; I could do better if I
had more definite idea of how well I’m doing during the semester; It is the test that worry me. Even
when I “know my stuff” I get so tense and worried that I don’t do as well as I should; I know exactly what
I want to say, but putting it down on paper is what gets me. (Robert H. Seashore (1962),

Students may have all their school problems neatly solved, but maybe questions about their plans
for the future are baffling them. Perhaps they haven’t yet chosen the career they would like to follow.
They may be uncertain about their future educational plans. (Robert H. Seashore (1962),Science
Research Associates USA) Getting along with others is in some ways related to the preceding one,
because the way people feel about themselves influences the way others feel. If they feel friendly and
self-confident, others are likely to look at them in the same way. Most young people want very much to
be liked and to be included in activities of the groups that interest them. (Robert H. Seashore (1962),
 Science Research Associates USA) The researchers found this selection precise since most of the
youth today experience lack of self-esteem when it comes to the fact that they are pressured to do well
in college. Like what is mentioned above, some students find it hard to cope up with exams when they
did not understand the lesson. That is why some young people are discouraged to continue up to their
college degree because of their experiences in high school. For example, freshmen students who are
bullied in their high school days would become more cautious in all aspects especially in choosing their
friends and acquaintances.

As said by Seashore, “the way you feel about yourself influences the way others feel about you”
explains that most of the youth today are forced to be like their parents – to choose the universities that
they have been to, to choose the course that they have been or to continue what they preferred, and
still, they are pressured to do well with it. Ability of an individual as defined by an online dictionary site
called, “The Free Dictionary by Farlex” is: (a) the quality of being able to do something, especially the
physical, mental, financial, or legal power to accomplish something (b) a natural or acquired skill or
talent (c) the quality of being suitable for or receptive to a specified treatment.
(http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ability) Relating the given definitions to the researchers’ subject
matter, the students’ abilities make a great impact on their decision regarding which course they will go
for. High school students must meet the required average grade of the subjects for their selection of
course. For example, a student who has a vision of being an engineer cannot take engineering courses if
he falls short on trigonometry and mathematics; and a student cannot take BS Accountancy if he is not
fond of Accountancy at all. Thus, the ability and the performance of a student distress his decision on
what course he will take. Young people’s dreams and ambitions may take many forms and go through
many phases and changes. Some are practical and realistic; some can never go beyond wishful thinking.
But among the main factors that help determine the life they will eventually have are the kind of
schooling they get and the type of work they do.

Their abilities, in turn, help determine that they will be able to achieve in the way of education
and a career. (Excerpted from Your goals and You: A Guidance Handbook) A consideration of their profile
of abilities can help them avoid mistakes, too. If they are very high in physical ability and manual
dexterity, but below average in mechanical comprehension, reasoning, and space ability, it probably
would be unrealistic for them to look forward to a career in engineering, and more practical to try for
success as skilled sheet metal worker or in some other requiring their particular combination of abilities.
If a person’s ability does not support the course they like, they need to think for alternatives that would
suit it. It is better to go for a course in which the student is interested and which his abilities go well
rather than going for a course in which the abilities of the student are not compatible which can results
to failure. Choosing a course is a really tough decision to make but the students must always put on their
mind: “Will I able to manage this course with my abilities whether intellectually or physically?; Am I
confident enough to pursue with this course?; Will I be able to get scores that will make me pass my
subjects?; After studying this course, what career am I going to get and where can that lead me?; Am I
making good decision with whatever course will I go for?” As students, they are more aware of their
abilities and the courses they can cope with. From that point, after assessing their limits, they can
already anticipate if they can
 qualify to that particular course. The decision can be done based on what field the student’s excel. It is
one of the bases that can be implied. If a student prefers a course that is not suitable for him, he may not
meet the Grade Point Average that in either way may result to failure or even disqualification. The
suggestion of the researchers is it will be best if the students identify their abilities which they can utilize
for the future. It will also be coherent if they pursue the course they are comfortable with, which holds
their interest and with what can meet the arrangement of their abilities. The constitution allows parents
to bring up their children according to their own values and beliefs. Parental responsibility includes:
Providing a home for their children and; Choosing and providing for their child’s education. Parents have
the rights to make decisions about their child’s upbringing without interference. Parenting involves
providing a safe environment for their child’s growth, providing for their basic needs, allowing them to
develop their own identity, nurturing their self-esteem, respecting them, educating them, spending time
with them etc. Parents have a duty to protect their children from abuse and neglect. Having parental
responsibility basically means that as a parent they have the right to make important decisions.
(www.college-preparation.suite101.com/article/cfm/deciding_on_a_college) Parents are the ones who
nurture and raise a child. Being a parent is not that easy, they have their duties and responsibilities not
only to themselves but also to their children. As their children grow up they have needs that parents
should provide.
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

The study is anchored on the theory of Donald Super which focuses on the development of life
roles over the life span with emphasis on inter-role congruence. His vocational concept as a part of self-
control is formed; it is driving force that establishes a career pattern one will follow through life.
Locational developmental task are derived from vocational stages which provides framework for
vocational behavior and attitudes.

This theory is found to be appropriate because of its stressfulness in terms of developing a career plan
that will guide the individual in choosing a career in college. Also, Super's six-dimension is appropriate
for adolescent is truly applicable because senior high school students are full under this category.
Another theory adopted for the research is David Tiedeman's self-development approach to career. He
believes that evolving self-in-situation from the earliest awareness of self to point at which individual
becomes capable of evaluating experiences, anticipating, and imagining future goals, and storing
experience in memory for future reference with his context of Erik Erickson's eight psychosocial crises.

Tiedemann (2004) stressed out why individual change their courses of action because of external
because of external forces (such as the call of the Armed Forces, an economic crisis, the work setting
itself) or
Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Factors Influencing the Grade

12 Students Decision in
Choosing their College
Courses?
The Grade 12 Student's
1. Family Decision in Choosing their
College Courses
2. Peer/Friends

3. In-demand jobs

4. Interest and socialization

5. Childhood aspirations
Significance of the Study

In various ways every study has its own importance and implication.

Earlier, The important of critical thinking which results to good-decision when it comes in choosing
college courses were laid. Pursuing this study will serve and give the readers a number of purposes. The
researchers believe that this study will benefit the following.

Administrators. These study would serve as a reading that will enable them to work with the teachers in
helping a student's choose the career path they are above to take. It will also help them in conducting
workshops and seminars in alignment with decision making.

Teachers. The information gathered disclose the possibilities that the teachers would be able to give
appropriate recommendations regarding the students abilities. they also become one of the important
factors in the realization of a students goals and vision. this may help them understand the significance
of knowing on how to motivate to students in picking a goal course for a better future.

Guidance Counselors . As part of guidance counselors expertise regarding career orientation this study
wuold help them asses the students prolifically with this study they will have widen reviews and ideas
on how to handle or counsel students who needs guidance about what course fits their interests and
God given talents and abilities.

Parents. The research aims to help the parents understand their child's endeavor. They would be also
innovated to work and support the teachers in giving assistance to their children. However, they will be
informed the great role they will play in fostering decision making towards the students future and in
setting their goal.

Pupils. Particularly graduating senior high students. The object of learning and direct benefactors of the
advantages of the study. They would be more aware of their interests and more certain of what they
want to become in the near future.
Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study is limited to determine the factors of the students desicion in choosing their College courses.
This study includes the senior high students of Sacub National high school.

The study was conducted during the third weak of August, academic year 2019-2020. Out of the senior
high school students of Sacub National High School, the researchers only chose forty-five (45) to answer
the questionnairs.

Certain variable were included by the researchers to determine the students decision in their college
courses. These variables includes the students Family income, place in the family and made that student
choose the college course.

Definition of Terms.

The following major keywords used in this study were defined in the purpose of better understanding
and clarity in the context of the research.

Future. The future is the period of time that will come after the present, or the things that will happen
then. ... Someone's future, or the future of something, is what will happen to them or what they will do
after the present time. His future depends on the outcome of the elections.

Abilities. power or capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, financially, etc.

Goal.A goal is an idea of the future or desired result that a person or a group of people envisions, plans
and commits to achieve. People endeavor to reach goals within a finite time by setting deadlines.

Knowledge. Knowledge is a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as

facts, information, descriptions, or skills, which is acquired through experience or education by
perceiving, discovering, or learning.
Academic progress. Academic Progress is defined as the comparison of individual student assessment
performance scores from one year to the next, aggregated to the school level.

Bandwagon. a usually ornate and high wagon for a band of musicians especially in a circus parade

Financial stability. Financial stability is a property of a financial system that dissipates financial
imbalances that arise endogenously in the financial markets or as a result of significant adverse and
unforeseeable events.

Grade point average (GPA). A grade point average is a number representing the average value of the
accumulated final grades earned in courses over time. More commonly called a GPA, a student's grade
point average is calculated by adding up all accumulated final grades and dividing that figure by the
number of grades awarded.

Parents responsibilities. Parental responsibility means the legal rights, duties, powers,
responsibilities and authority a parent has for a child and the child's property. A person who has parental
responsibility for a child has the right to make decisions about their care and upbringing. ... Whether or
not a child has medical treatment.