The Process of Choosing What to Study: A longitudinal Study of Upper Secondary Students’ Identity Work when Choosing Higher Education

Henriette Tolstrup Holmegaard; Lars Ulriksen; Lene Møller Madsen

doi:10.1080/00313831.2012.696212

The Process of Choosing What to Study: A longitudinal Study of Upper Secondary Students’ Identity Work when Choosing Higher Education

Henriette Tolstrup Holmegaard, Lars Ulriksen, Lene Møller Madsen

44 Citations (Scopus)

639 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This paper presents the first results from a longitudinal qualitative study following 38 Danish students' choice of higher education. By using a narrative psychological framework it is shown how the choice of higher education is embedded in various dilemmas, making it difficult for the students to make meaningful choices. They believe the choice should be unique and individual and that it should correspond with who they are and wish to become. However, the analysis shows that choosing what to study after upper-secondary school is a complex ongoing and social process, rather than an isolated individual event. Implications of these results are discussed and the educational system is urged to provide room for and facilitate students' production of choice narratives.

Original language	English
Journal	Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research
Volume	58
Issue number	1
Pages (from-to)	21-40
Number of pages	20
ISSN	0031-3831
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2012.696212
Publication status	Published - Jan 2014

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10.1080/00313831.2012.696212

SJOER_accepted (21 feb 12)Submitted manuscript, 289 KB

Uddannelsesvalg og Gennemførelse på Universitetet
Lars Ulriksen (Participant)
25 Nov 2014
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organisation of and participation in conference

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The Process of Choosing What to Study : A longitudinal Study of Upper Secondary Students’ Identity Work when Choosing Higher Education. / Holmegaard, Henriette Tolstrup ; Ulriksen, Lars ; Madsen, Lene Møller.

In: Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 58, No. 1, 01.2014, p. 21-40.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

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The Process of Choosing What to Study: A longitudinal Study of Upper Secondary Students’ Identity Work when Choosing Higher Education

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