Why Do Some Students Choose the Wrong Courses?

Muyyu Oeung, ACE Tuol Tom Poung Teacher

First of all, congratulations to all Grade 12 students for completing your BACII exams and reaching the first milestone in your lives! Now it is time to decide which course you want to pursue at university, an essential choice that will affect the rest of your life. Because a lot of articles have already provided tips on how to understand and select the course you love, are passionate about, or have a talent for, I am going to share some of the mistakes that many people make so you can avoid them.

First, one of the most common mistakes people make is to follow their peers. At high school, some students may have a clique or close friends with whom they often hang out and share experiences. When they do not have a goal in life and do not know what to study, they often end up just following their friends. Later, they realise they detest the subject and have no passion to learn. They also lose motivation and do not want to go on. They feel they are useless, but do not want to change their course for fear of wasting time if they have to start learning a new subject.

Second, some students may receive too much advice. By and large, when people know that someone has graduated from high school, they offer their opinions and ideas. Some will advise you to undertake this or that course because of the job market. Others will say, “No, study this course because you are very talented in this area”. When one’s brain is fraught with many different ideas, it is easy to make a bad decision.

Third, some students study a particular course because they are offered a scholarship. The fact that they do not have the finances or do not want to spend money means they study without questioning whether they actually like the course or not. There are other reasons behind the decision to study a course you do not like, such as the university’s reputation, but at the end of the day you may have to force yourself to learn.

Finally, some students study a major they dislike because it is their parents’ goal or dream. A good example is many parents wanting their kids to become doctors because doctors are well paid. Another instance is when parents failed to study that major themselves, so they want their children to fulfil their dreams. As a result, some children feel it is their responsibility to fulfil their parents’ wishes to make them happy and proud. Although it is good to show love and appreciation, it is important for every student to listen to their heart.

These are some of the common mistakes that many students make. I hope that after reading this article, you can avoid repeating the same mistakes and make a good decision. Listen to your heart and follow your talents. Be responsible for your decision. Good luck!