Motivations for Going to University: A Qualitative Study and Class Project

Abstract

We explored student motivations for attending university, including how motivations may change over the course of one’s postsecondary career, by conducting semi-structured interviews with 8 upper-year undergraduates. Participants were also asked to reflect back on their own experiences and provide advice for new university students. We conducted a grounded theory analysis to identify common themes running across the 8 interviews. What emerged was a pattern of transition from a predominance of external/extrinsic motivators at the beginning of one’s university career, into increasingly internal/intrinsic motivators as students discovered their passions and interests. Two unexpected external/extrinsic themes to emerge included: ‘Unhelpful high-school guidance-counselling’ and a ‘Motivation to disprove people who underestimate you’. The strongest internal/intrinsic motivation was the ‘Desire to help others’. Students can apply these findings to their own lives and universities can gain a better understanding of the supports that are needed to retain students through to graduation.