Impacts of High School Curriculum and Personal Interest on College Major Selection Among Senior Students PDF

**Impacts of High School Curriculum and Personal Interest on College Major Selection Among Senior Students** **Introduction** College level is the biggest and most important part of education. In this matter, students will be able to learn and get ready for their chosen career profession. However,...

**Impacts of High School Curriculum and Personal Interest on College Major Selection Among Senior Students** **Introduction** College level is the biggest and most important part of education. In this matter, students will be able to learn and get ready for their chosen career profession. However, students' perception before choosing their career is unknown. A high school curriculum program known as K-12 has a lot of help for students to be able to have background knowledge about their dream courses. In fact, with the help of senior high education, students will be able to get ready for their college life. Students' preferences for their future career are tackled in the high school Curriculum, where they can already know their personal interests, skills, and talents. Choosing college courses and majors may be hard for senior school students, even if they know what they like the most. The point of view of every student about college courses is hard and not easy. It is the reason for this study to be conducted, to be able to know the perception and strategies of senior high students in choosing their course for college. To have knowledge about the path that senior high school students will take, and to have enough information about what they are scared of. Choosing a college major is a crucial decision in a student's life according to Galotti, K. M., & Umscheid, V. A. (2019). "High school students rate their independence in the decision-making process low". Their study proves that most senior high school students do not decide their college major by their own will. Some consequences of this poor decision-making are unemployment where someone doesn't enjoy the field that they choose because of poor decision-making. This research seeks to answer the question "How do high school Curriculum and Personal Interests Influence the Selection of College Majors among Senior Students?" This study can help the current and upcoming senior students in choosing their college major. Understanding this study could provide numerous benefits to educators, school staff, principals and policymakers, aiding students in their academic decisions as it will impact their future career. It is important to differentiate between hobbies and long-term interests. For example, a student may enjoy playing video games, but this doesn't mean that the student will best choose that college major. It's really important to consider whether your interests can provide for your daily needs. Choosing the right college major involves many aspects, such as personal interests, skills, and values. But it also comes with a lot of considerations, such as job sustainability, proper earning potential and demand. This study will uncover the different elements that contribute to the decision-making of students, peer influence, and the role of the academic curriculum of senior high school in helping the students decide the right college major for them. In this study, students, teachers, and school admins will be able to have enough knowledge to help students know their personal interests in selecting college majors. To be able to get to know the students who still do not know what they want to take in college, this study will provide recommendations that don't have a research process. For students to know that selecting college courses will help them to achieve future success in financial and self-improvement, this study is to be conducted. Hence, decision-making is a crucial part of being a student. It is important to select a college major that aligns with your personal interests, strengths, and your goal. Decisions in life will be the outcome of the future, so they must be well thought about. Majors and degrees are one of the big aspects one person's achieving in life. It reflects their sacrifices, tiredness, and crucial moments that every student may have encountered. In any matter, college courses that students may take in the future will help them to boost their self-confidence in every way. The importance of a college major is making every student get ready for their profession or career in the future. That will bring a lot of opportunities in their lives. Post-secondary decisions can be overwhelming. You may not know or have any idea about who you want to be or what you want to become. This process of finding your likes and dislikes could be very dragging and nagging if you don't have the proper resources. In each student, there are definite, exceptional skills that await unraveling; new experiences are ways through which this can be done. According to an article written by Suzanne Johnston (2017), she says "there's a lot of pressure on high school students to figure what they want 'to be.'" Her advice is to "explore. Don't limit yourself to one area. Take all the classes. Follow your interests." High school is an amazing opportunity to take risks and get involved, even if you decide it's not something you want to pursue. The idea that students are expected to maintain an interest all throughout their life is undeniably unreasonable. Personal interests are also significant in choosing a college major. When a student chooses a college major out of their personal interests, they will be more productive and put a lot of effort into their work as if it were nothing. They most likely enjoy every second and consistently learn new things to improve the quality of their work. If someone is personally aligned with their major, they will most likely have long-term career fulfillment. Being passionate about the college major you choose will have a lot of impact on your personal growth. It's most likely that you'll finish your major and be successful if you're fully committed to it. But before all that, you need to know what your personal interests are, how they reflect you as a human, and whether those interests will not disappoint you in the future. A person who enjoys the field that they choose is the one who finds their personal satisfaction in life. So before choosing a college major, you need to consider every factor before making your final decision. In conclusion, this study will explore and reveal all the factors affecting a student when choosing a college major. **Statement of the Problem** This study aims to determine the impact of high school curriculum and personal interest on college major selection among senior students. The study will be conducted among random Grade 11 and Grade 12 students of Maronquillo National High School during the academic year 2023-2024. The outcomes of the study will serve as an eye-opener for everyone to know the importance of choosing the right career path. 1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of: a. Age b. Gender c. Grade Level/ Strand 2. How does exposure to certain subjects in high school (e.g., STEM, arts, humanities) correlate with students' college major decisions? 3. How High School Curriculum help the students understanding on their skills and knowledge? 4. How does Personal Interest affects students perception in choosing their college major? **Conceptual Framework** The conceptual framework of this study focuses on the Impacts of High School Curriculum and Personal Interest as determinants for College Major Selection Among Senior Students utilizing Input-Process-Output (IPO). The Input focuses on the students' demographic profile (age, gender, grade level and strand) which affects their decision making process. The Process involves the gathering of data by way of surveys or other relevant techniques to investigate the connection between students' interests and the course work that is being undertaken. Finally, Output aims at making suggestions on how the curriculum should be modified as well as presenting new avenues for conducting research as revealed by the study in an effort to ameliorate the gap between high school and what students want to pursue after graduation in college. **REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE** Career choice has lately become a very complicated science, considering that the decision is influenced by numerous factors. Yet, choosing the right career is important in ensuring that individuals lead rewarding lives, are motivated at their jobs and can achieve remarkable productivity, thus setting the stage for organizational success and sustainability. Given the importance of making the right career choice, it is imperative that individuals are aware of the factors that influence such weighty decisions and do so from a point of knowledge. (Josephine Nyamwange, 2016). This research is relevant to the study because it tackles the importance of choosing the right career and the importance of being aware of the choices that the students will be making. Self-determination. In opting for course preference, a student should be determined. Through self-determination, students are encouraged to pursue the course taken despite not their own course preference. Perseverance and Self Confidence. Most students' survival and success in their courses can be imputed to their perseverance and self-confidence. In studies, problems are hindrances to success if not properly remedied or if a student lacks perseverance in dealing with study problems (Shar-In A. Sadjail\*, Darwina J. Sansawi, Mona-Allea L. Matolo, 2022). This study provides a lot of information as it shows that choosing one major in college depends on the strength that one student has. In personal interest self-determination and perseverance and self-confidence is included. It is important for every student to know what path belongs and applicable to them. Several studies investigate academic exposure and its effects on college major choice. (Smith & Jones, 2020) found that students who have varied academic exposure during high school will have a better perception of the various fields of study out there, hence making better major choices. It is relevant because it explains that a well-rounded curriculum is able to introduce the student to different fields to ignite interests; however, the choice of major should be based on one's passion if they want satisfaction and to be engaged. It was also observed that a portion of the students remained undecided about the specific strand/track they would choose for senior high school. This highlights the need for additional guidance and support to help these students make informed decisions about their future academic paths (De Guzman et al., 2023). It explained that some students are considering the factors that affect their career pathways. In addition, the study found out that pursuing a college major may require guidance and better decisions to achieve better results as a basis for college selection. Moreover, this study is relevant to the study that focuses on the impact of high school curriculum. Furthermore, the study emphasizes that selecting a college major may require knowledge and careful decision-making to achieve better outcomes. Additionally, the study emphasizes that policymakers and educational programs can play a crucial role in helping students reach their goals. By providing the right support, they can guide students in making informed decisions that align with their needs and priorities, helping them focus on the areas they need to improve and develop the knowledge necessary to succeed The results indicated that intrinsic interest in coding, self-efficacy in coding, and perceptions of coders were found to relate directly with interest in STEM careers. Also, it has been observed that both interest in coding and perceptions of coders serve as mediators in the relationship between intrinsic interest in coding and interest in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This literature is relevant to the study, it focuses in impact on STEM career interest among senior high school students in two Chinese cities directly relates to the broader topic of the impacts of high school curriculum and personal interest on college major selection among senior students. Both are attach on the aspect that involves a factor influencing career choice; the research study is on intrinsic interest in coding, while the topic covers personal interest and high school curriculum on college major choices. A certain key point of reference that personal interest bears to career aspiration and career choice among high school students is caught by both. As claimed by Shen, Q. (2021). Career planning guides students to choose a college major by first encouraging them to identify interests, skills, and values. They are then able to research careers and which college majors fit for each occupation. Students choose their academic track more knowledgeably and with greater certainty because they are better informed about themselves and their career choices. This study is related to our study because it highlights how exploring personal interests, skills, and values, as facilitated by career planning, helps students connect their high school learning and personal passions to specific college majors and future career paths. Based on the findings of Gao, W.L., & Wang, H.P (2024) educational choice and career decision-making self-efficacy had significant effects on the willingness to apply. Career decision-making self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the significant positive impact of educational choice on the willingness to apply. This study is strongly connected to our selected topic since it focuses on the relationship between educational choice and professional decision making. This discovery is significant in recognizing the significance of educational interest with job goals to boost confidence in making informed career decisions. It supports the notion that an individual's confidence in making career-related decisions is greatly influenced by their educational choices, which also serve to reflect their academic interests. As stated to the study of Sabagala and Kilag (2023) students expressed confidence in their ability to fulfill curriculum goals and complimented the entertaining lessons and tools offered. Instructors expressed satisfaction with the way the curriculum was implemented and how it improved their content understanding. Upon graduation, students felt well-prepared for options in advanced education or skilled employment, and many attributed their success to the curriculum's capacity to expand their perspectives and cultivate critical thinking. While the study highlights positive aspects, recommendations for improvement are proposed, including aligning competencies, updating content, enhancing teacher professional development, integrating interactive approaches, leveraging technology, and implementing regular feedback mechanisms. This study show the experience of other student who has already graduated. This study is related to our topic because it focuses on choosing a major that is appropriate for college. Because it focuses on pros and cons of the high school curriculum and its findings and offers useful recommendations and ideas, this study may aid in our research by providing ideas. According to MK Owusu, A Owusu, ET Fiorgbor, and VA Kumah (2020), it explored factors affecting Senior High School students' career aspirations in Berekum Municipality, Ghana, using a descriptive survey design with 196 participants. It found that students' interests had minimal impact on their career goals, and this lack of influence was consistent across gender, age, and academic program. The study recommends that school counselors should actively support students in aligning their career choices with their interests and that career guidance should be integrated into co-curricular activities in schools. This study is related to our topic by examining how students' interests impact their career aspirations is directly related to understanding how these interests, alongside the high school curriculum, influence college major selection. It also highlights the importance of aligning students' personal interests and educational experiences with their future career choices. **Significance of the Study** The findings of the study will show the impacts of high school curriculum and personal interest on the senior high school students. The primary beneficiaries of the study who will benefit positively are the following: **Students**. This study provides senior students with a deeper understanding of the interplay between their personal interests, high school curriculum, and college major selection. This awareness can empower them to make informed decisions about their academic pathways, ensuring alignment between their passions and future career goals. **Teacher**. This study will give valuable insights into the factors influencing students' college major choices. Teachers can use this knowledge to better support their students in exploring their interests, developing their skills, and making informed decisions about their future. **School Administrator**. This study holds significant value as it enables the school administrator to identify the necessary action to be undertaken in terms of identifying the impacts of high school curriculum and personal interest on senior students college major selection. **Parents**. Parents can guide their children's academic and career paths by understanding the factors influencing college major selection. This knowledge can empower them to engage in meaningful conversations with their children about their interests, aspirations, and the potential impact of high school curriculum choices on future options. **Future Researchers.** This study has the potential to provide the future researchers with valuable ideas and knowledge that can contribute to their research paper. **Scope and Limitations of the Study** The general intent of this study is to know the impacts of high school curriculum and personal interest on college major selection among senior students. This study will focus on the impacts of these factors and how these factors affect the senior students in choosing a college major. The data collection will primarily focus on the target students, which are senior high school students. To gather a lot of information, the researchers developed a survey questionnaire, which will serve as a tool for gathering information. The study will be conducted during the first semester of the school year 2024-2025, specifically from August to September 2024. This research study will concentrate on the impacts of high school curriculum and personal interest on college major selection among senior students. **Location of the Study** The study will be conducted at Maronquillo National High School, Viola Highway, Maronquillo, San Rafael Bulacan. **Definition of Terms** **Career aspirations --** it refers to the professional goals and ambitions that an individual hopes to achieve over their career. These aspirations often shape their choices regarding education, job opportunities, and skill development, guiding their overall career path. **College Major**- is a specific area of study that a student chooses to focus on during their undergraduate education. It defines the primary subject in which they will specialize, typically consisting of a series of required and elective courses within that discipline. The choice of a major often aligns with a student's career aspirations and personal interests, and can influence their future job opportunities or graduate study paths. **Curriculum** -- refers to an organized series of activities that adhere to standards-based rules, allowing students to practice and develop proficiency in both academic and applied learning skills. To guarantee that every student has access to difficult academic experiences, all educators rely on the curriculum as their major source of guidance on essential teaching and learning methods. **Field**- this word can be classified in a lot meanings. In academics or profession it can be classified as a specific area of study or work, things such as field of medicine field of engineering, where the people are experts on something. But the word field can also be classified as the literal field or a large area of land. Commonly used in farming or establishing huge structures. A field describes a region or even bigger places **Learning skills --** is a term that describes the tasks involved in learning, including time management, note-taking, reading effectively, study skills, and writing tests. **Major Decisions** -is a strong preference that can change a person's life in every aspect and is often considered carefully before adoption. In education, it usually concerns the choice of a college major, where the primary area of concentration is selected, since this can determine a person's profession, personal growth, and prospects. **Major Selection**- is the process of choosing a specific field of study for your college degree. It's like picking a path you want to specialize in, which will shape your future career and knowledge. **Personal interest** -- It refers to an individual's specific preferences, passions, or hobbies that they enjoy and find meaningful. They are unique to each person and reflect what they find enjoyable or important in life. **Passionate**- This word means for a person driven by a strong enthusiasm and expressing commitment of excitement to his goal, cause, or activity. It also comes from the word passion and highlights being driven by an intense desire for something that can be through the more extensive challenges and also keep going. Otherwise, it emphasizes the powerful inner thoughts that push people into their limits to pursue until they meet success. **Senior Students-** is a student in their final year of high school, typically the 12^th^ grade. They are also the participants of studies focusing on college major selection, as they are at the point of making crucial decisions about their future academic paths. **Chapter II** **METHODOLOGY** **RESEARCH DESIGN** To be able understand the impact of high school curriculum and personal interest of senior students regarding to their major selection , the researchers use correlation research design a quantitative approach that focuses on analyzing the relation of students personal interest and high school curriculum for their college major selection. Correlation design approach focuses on statistical relationships between personal interest and high school curriculum on college major selection of senior students. This approach aims to analyze the relationship between students personal interests, their high school curriculum, and their choices regarding college majors. **Data Gathering Technique** In able for the researchers to gather data, the researchers utilized a quantitative method approach. The researchers prepared a survey questionnaire consist of two phases and will be given to a random sample of 195 Grade 11 and 12 students of Maronquillo National High School. The phase I is composed of personal questions regarding the respondents, in able for the researchers to know the correlation of the respondents personal data to its answers. The phase II will be consisted of the questionnaires that the researchers prepared about the study, it is designed to gather specific data based on research objectives. This quantitative research study only solely focuses on giving survey questionnaire for random grade 11 and 12 students of Maronquillo National High School as a data gathering technique. **Sampling method** In this study, the researcher used the random sampling technique. According to Noor (2022), one common sampling technique used in quantitative research using survey instruments is random sampling. The random sampling technique is favorable in homogeneous and uniformly selected populations.  In this research, the random sampling technique is applied to guarantee that every senior student at Maronquillo National High School has an equal opportunity to take part in the survey. This ensures fairness, giving all students an equal chance to participate. The list of all senior students will be obtained, and a random number will be used to select a predetermined number of students for participation to answer survey questionnaires. The sample size of the participants is approximately 195 students and takes about 80% of the senior students at Maronquillo National High School. Also, the use of random sampling can reduce bias, ensuring that the sample accurately reflects the characteristics of the overall population of senior students. **Data Analysis** The data from the survey questions will be analyzed through a Descriptive Analysis to provide insights into the Impact of High School Curriculum and Personal Interest on College Major Selection among Senior Students. The frequency of the data will be given and analyzed clearly to better understand the result of the data. The interpretation of the data from the responses of the participants will serve as a proof for this study.