Exploring University Students’ Learning Goals

Abstract

Among the causes of failure to complete higher education is the incompatibility of students' goals with the objectives of their study programs. So far it has been assumed that students have the same goals as their education providers. There are very few exploratory studies regarding student goals that support the assumption above. This study aims to identify students' learning goals, where the results can be used to optimize the achievement of educational goals. Using the constructive realism approach, the results of this study show that students' learning goals include to achieve academic competencies, social and spiritual involvement, personal development, future success, and technical sufficiency. Among these five goals, the achievement of academic competencies, personal development, and future success are in line with previous findings and opinions from experts. In addition, two other goals appear to be characteristics in the local context, namely social and spiritual involvement, and technical sufficiency. This implies that students also learn because of social drive, an educational institution that facilitates their orientation, a compatibility between student's technical and financial situation, and an institution that supports their beliefs/faith. For students, academic goals are considered as the most critical goal: if it is achieved, students perceive their future to be bright through obtainment or creation of jobs. Following the context of the community, all these goals will be realized when they are aligned with social goals and driven by a desire to develop themselves.