Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

This chapter presents the background, statement of the problem, scope,

delimitation, and the significance of the study.

Background of the Study

The right course selection may help students fit into their interests and

learn more about a sector they're actually interested in studying, so knowing how

to choose a course that fits them is essential. Understanding their interest and

being clear about what course they want to take is important for students. One of

the most important decisions students will make during their academic career is

choosing a course that is suitable. Choosing a course that aligns with students’

interests and career aspirations will increase their chances of finding a job that

they enjoy and are good at.

Choosing the right career you want to pursue is an important step to

succeed in life. This is an important decision to consider, but it can be difficult to

know which one best suits your needs. Choosing a degree is an important step to

consider, but it’s only the first step. Students can face some major challenges

when choosing an ideal career that will serve them well in the future. Not all

students receive the career advice and guidance they need. This can make it

difficult for them to choose the right career that will help them succeed in life. It is

not uncommon for students to have to make career choices in uncertain

economic conditions. With that in mind, the researchers consider to determine

the factors that affect students’ course preferences.

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 The researchers believe one factor affecting the course preference of the

students is parents’ influence. Some parents want the best for their child so they

are the one who choose the course instead of the child. Some of the reasons are

like getting a job in the future with a high salary and affordable course.

The other factor is the peer’s influence. Part of growing up is having a circle

of friends. In high school, students do not want to be separated from their friends

up to their college life, so those who are with their friends decide their course to

be the same.

Financial status is also one of the factors that affect students’ course

preferences. Studying in college is expensive. So, students often choose the

course that is affordable.

The last factor affecting the course preference is personal choice. Most of

the students follow their passion and pick a course relating to it.

The researchers believed that students who graduate in college with the

course suited for them would even have a higher percentage of having a job.

Therefore, this study intends to determine the factors affecting the college course

preference among senior high school students of Our Lady of Sorrows Academy,

Inc. for the school year 2023-2024. These factors serve as a preference of

students in choosing a college course which includes the preferred course of the

parents, peer’s influence, financial status and personal choice. The researchers

also aim to know how to diminish these incidents. By conducting this research,

the researchers would be able to propose solutions that would help the students

today.

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Statement of the Problem

This study generally aimed to determine the factors that affect senior high

school students course preference of Our Lady of Sorrows Academy, Inc. for the

school year 2023-2024.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions.

1. What is the demographic profile of the students according to their

1.1.Age ;
1.2.Academic stand/track
2. What is the most preferred course by senior high school students?

3. What factors influence students' course selection?

1.1.Personal factor ;
1.2.Parental factor ;
1.3.Financial status; and
1.4.Peers influence
4 What factor greatly affects their course preference?

Scope and Delimitation

This study will focus on the factors that affect the course preference

of Senior High school students. This study delimits itself to selected 40

respondents students in Grade 11 and 12 in Our Lady of Sorrows Academy, Inc.

School year 2023 – 2024.

This study looked into their demographic profile in terms of sex and

academic strand/track. In addition, respondents will be asked about how they will

choose their course in college.

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Significance of the Study

Students. Students are positioned to benefit the most from this study. They are

the focus of the study because, in the end, they become aware of themselves,

their advantages and disadvantages, and how to choose a course. By conducting

this research, the students will be able to select the course that best suits their

preferences. The findings of this study would benefit and inspire them to develop

and act upon the course preference that their taking. Also, This research could

help them to collect information about the factors that might affect them in

choosing courses.

Parents. The results of this study may be useful to parents whose children are

senior high school students in helping them understand the perspective they

have and how they may have influenced their course preferences. Parents were

more aware of the need to know the course preferences of their children they

would perform their role as parents. Parents would be guided in helping students

in pursuing the appropriate career considering factors that are found relevant.

Teachers. As those who play a significant role in the process of teaching and

learning, this research will enable them to emphasize and focus more on their

areas of study, resulting in a better learning experience for students, particularly

for teachers who will be teaching in Senior High School. When it comes to picking

their courses, teachers make a significant contribution to the knowledge and

shaping of each student. In this study, teachers will be provided information about

their student's interests so that they may focus on the abilities required by the

students if they pursue the course they have selected.

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School Administrators. This study would enable them to find ways and means

to improve the student’s abilities and skills that would empower them to pursue

their courses. The result of this study will help the school administration in putting

up an effective, integrated course information and guidance system that plays a

very helpful role in guiding senior high school students toward making the best

possible course decisions. The result of the study could help school

administrators to know what specific factors affect the students in choosing

courses.

Future Researchers. This study would provide a source for other researchers

who want to conduct the same research study. They may expand on this study to

provide additional data and information for their research.