So you passed the UPCAT ... now what? a study on choice and happiness as determinants of human capital development
Date
2015
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Abstract
Are people happier when they are free to pursue what they want? And when they do pursue what they want, are they necessarily better at it? This paper aims to look into freedom, motivation, interest, and happiness as key components of academic performance. In a survey conducted among Liberal Arts, Business and Economics, and Engineering and Sciences students in the University of the Philippines Diliman, the researchers measure the degree of freedom students had on initially deciding on their college course, the amount of motivation and interest they have in pursuing their chosen discipline, and self-assessed levels of happiness. We find that although being personally motivated to do well and study beyond topics taught in class were significant components, happiness was the strongest indicator of excellent academic performance. The researchers also find that interest, motivation and freedom were strong components of self-ssessed happiness.