The role of individual interest and future goals during the first years of university studies

Abstract

In this study, 28 university students from two different fields – the humanities and veterinary medicine – were interviewed. The aim was to explore the role of individual interest and future goals during the first two years of university study through retrospective interviews. The results showed that, while support from the learning environment was necessary, in most cases study had to some degree been based on individual interest. A heavy workload was found to hinder interest-based studying in veterinary medicine, whereas clear future goals helped these students to remain committed. Even though individual interest played an important role in the humanities, a lack of future goals diminished students’ commitment to their studies.

Keywords:

• individual interest
• future goals
• university students
• humanities
• veterinary medicine