Perceptions of High School Students about University

Abstract

This study aims to determine the perceptions of the high school students about the university and the underlying reasons for these perceptions. The model of this study is descriptive, and it is designed based on qualitative research methodology. The sample of the study consists of 70 students from different high schools located in the city center of Duzce, in Turkey. Maximum variation sampling method, one of the purposive sampling methods, was used to determine the sample of the study. The sample consists of 11th grade students from the selected high schools. The data of the research was collected by interview method. The data of the research was analyzed by content analysis method. According to results of this study, students' perceptions about the university were categorized under two main themes. These themes are “Future and Career” and “Freedom and Autonomy”. Within the first main theme, “Future and Career”, the sub-theme with the highest frequency is “future”. This sub-theme is also important in terms of having the highest frequency among all other sub-themes. Students perceive the university as a turning point in their future lives and think that their future lives will be changed and shaped only by the university. Within the second main theme, two sub-themes with the highest frequency are “being free” and “having an independent life”. According to the students, it is also important to be free, socially and personally empowered, and to have the ability to live their own lives during and after university education.