Motivation, study habits, and expectations of medical students in Singapore

Figures & data

Table

Practice points

Recognize the role of the family in decision making; educate the family about careers in medicine Encourage and reward risk taking in the classroom; do not penalize for asking what may appear to be ‘stupid’ questions Strategically use assessment as a learning tool Devote significant resources in career counselling and mentoring Provide education that is relevant to future practice

Figure 1. Motivation to undertake university studies according to rank.

Box 1 Motivation for undertaking university studies

Group 1: Most important	Group 2: Important	Group 3: Least important
Finding an interesting and challenging job	To broaden my horizon	No other good jobs available
Job that pays well	Family expectations Acquire skills for graduate studies	Because my friends are doing it promotions

Figure 2. The objective of pre-university education according to ranking.

Figure 3. The objectives of university education according to ranking.

Figure 4. Characteristics of the university teachers valued by students.

Figure 5. Academic role of university teachers.

Figure 6. Monitoring of study habits (rank 1, 2, and 3).

Box 2 Stimulating learning

Most important	Important
Encouraged to ask question	Class asking questions during lecture
Researching own topics	Entertained during lecture
Working with peers Teacher creates a friendly atmosphere	Following teacher by repeating exercise

Box 3 Reasons for not asking questions

Group 1: Most important	Group 2: Important	Group 3: Least important
Too risky, look stupid if I was wrong Unnecessary to get better grades	Unnecessary to build up confidence for future career	Rude Unnecessary to enhance my learning process

Figure 7. What employers value (rank 1, 2, and 3).

Table

1	What is your current year of enrolment? (please specify)
	1       2        3        4        5
2	What is your average grade in the most recent final exams in medical school?
3	What is your age? (please indicate in years since last birthday)
4	Gender (please circle one)	M
		F
5	Nationality. Singaporean	……
	Singapore permanent resident	……
	Other (specify)	……
6	Race Chinese	……
	Malay	……
	Indian	……
	Others (please specify)	……
7	If foreign born, how long have you lived in Singapore? (please indicate number of years)
8	What language do you speak at home? (please specify)
9	What language do you usually speak with your friends? (please specify)
10	Do your parents have a university degree?
	Father Mother	Y/N Y/N
11	What was your pre-university institution final result? (please indicate number of A's, B's and C's or overall mark/score)
12	In which country did you complete your last pre-university education? (please specify)

Table

13	What was your main motivation for undertaking university studies?	……
	(a) prospect of finding an interesting/challenging job in the future.	……
	(b) prospect of finding a job that pays well	……
	(c) promotion	……
	(d) family expectations	……
	(e) because my friends are doing it too	……
	(f) to broaden my horizons	……
	(g) no good jobs available	……
	(h) acquire skills for graduate studies	……
	(i) other: please specify
14	If you were given a choice, would you rather study overseas?	Y/N
15	If yes, why have you not pursued studying overseas?
	(a) costs	……
	(b) marks below requirement	……
	(c) language…………………………………………………………………………	……
	(d) visa requirements	……
	(e) distance from home/family/friends	……
	(f) have applied but was unsuccessful	……
	(g) will apply in future to undertake graduate studies/PhD	……
	(h) other: please specify	……
16	Are you satisfied with your choice of university study? (please indicate with mark ranging from 1 = very satisfied to 5 = very dissatisfied)
	1       2       3       4       5

Table

13	What was your main motivation for undertaking university studies?	……
	(a) prospect of finding an interesting/challenging job in the future.	……
	(b) prospect of finding a job that pays well	……
	(c) promotion	……
	(d) family expectations	……
	(e) because my friends are doing it too	……
	(f) to broaden my horizons	……
	(g) no good jobs available	……
	(h) acquire skills for graduate studies	……
	(i) other: please specify
14	If you were given a choice, would you rather study overseas?	Y/N
15	If yes, why have you not pursued studying overseas?
	(a) costs	……
	(b) marks below requirement	……
	(c) language…………………………………………………………………………	……
	(d) visa requirements	……
	(e) distance from home/family/friends	……
	(f) have applied but was unsuccessful	……
	(g) will apply in future to undertake graduate studies/PhD	……
	(h) other: please specify	……
16	Are you satisfied with your choice of university study? (please indicate with mark ranging from 1 = very satisfied to 5 = very dissatisfied)
	1       2       3       4       5

Table

13	What was your main motivation for undertaking university studies?	……
	(a) prospect of finding an interesting/challenging job in the future.	……
	(b) prospect of finding a job that pays well	……
	(c) promotion	……
	(d) family expectations	……
	(e) because my friends are doing it too	……
	(f) to broaden my horizons	……
	(g) no good jobs available	……
	(h) acquire skills for graduate studies	……
	(i) other: please specify
14	If you were given a choice, would you rather study overseas?	Y/N
15	If yes, why have you not pursued studying overseas?
	(a) costs	……
	(b) marks below requirement	……
	(c) language…………………………………………………………………………	……
	(d) visa requirements	……
	(e) distance from home/family/friends	……
	(f) have applied but was unsuccessful	……
	(g) will apply in future to undertake graduate studies/PhD	……
	(h) other: please specify	……
16	Are you satisfied with your choice of university study? (please indicate with mark ranging from 1 = very satisfied to 5 = very dissatisfied)
	1       2       3       4       5