Every year, thousands of first-year students drop out because their chosen study programme turns out not to be the right fit. How can they be better supported during this crucial decision-making process? Education researcher Nicky de Vries set out to find the answer.
Many young people are unsure of what they want to study; newspapers recently reported that even Princess Alexia experienced ‘anxiety’ around this decision. And she is far from alone, given the high number of first-year students who discontinue their studies. Each year, roughly a quarter to a third of first-year higher education students drop out.
According to the annual Monitor of Policy Measures in Higher Education from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, half of these students later report having made the 'wrong' choice. That’s why education researcher Nicky de Vries investigated, as part of her doctoral research, how students can be better supported in choosing a course that suits them, and thus ultimately improving academic success.
She concluded that students who select a programme aligned with their interests and personality tend to perform better, are more likely to continue beyond the first year, and are more satisfied with their choice. Students who explore a wide range of options and fully commit to their decision also feel more content afterwards. De Vries notes: “However, this exploration and commitment do not automatically lead to better academic results or a higher likelihood of continuing their studies.”
De Vries also highlights the importance of career orientation and guidance in secondary schools. “It helps pupils discover their interests.” According to De Vries, interest-based study choice tests can contribute to greater self-awareness and help with exploring study options. “But such a test will never be able to tell someone what the right choice is, if such a thing even exists.”
A new generation of study choice tools is currently in development, using predictive technologies. De Vries explains: “These predictive choice tools could offer prospective students more personalised advice than traditional tests. However, they are not yet available, and they come with various ethical risks.”
De Vries’ research offers valuable insights into the use of interest assessments, study choice tools, and targeted career guidance. These can all help prospective students make a more informed and thoughtful choice for their study programme.