Factors Influencing Students in Choosing their College Course

Abstract

<p>Deciding for a college course to take is quiet challenging for a student due to the many influencing factors or reasons in the environment that may affect his own preference. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence the College of Education students at MSU-TCTO in choosing Education as their college course. Further, it tried to determine different approaches in managing the course they are currently taking at the college. The result of this study would benefit the administrators, teachers, parents, students, and future researchers as they gain new insights about the factors that influence the students in choosing their college course. This study made use of a phenomenological-qualitative study conducted to the selected students at the College of Education, MSU-TCTO. Interview guide was utilized to gather the needed data. It consists of guide questions validated by the panel of experts. Data gathered were transcribed, thematically analyzed and interpreted. Based on the findings of the study, the common factors that influence the students in choosing Education as their college course were parental discretion/ influences, external influences, affordability, practicality, personal preference and interest, and socio-economic problems. Moreover, the respondents’ yielded different approaches and ways to manage the courses they are currently taking at the College of Education such as self-determination, overcoming fear of subject difficulties, perseverance and self-confidence, personal preference and interest and developing participation and study habit/skills. In conclusion, there were several factors that influenced the COED students in taking Education course. Further, the course they are currently taking were not solely chosen by themselves. The influence of other people in choosing their course may help or hinder them to succeed in life. Hence, appropriate assistance must be provided to students such as seminar or conference on career guidance, among others to assist them with their course placements and help them invest their full potentials.</p>