‘What do I do if an academically bright student doesn’t want to go to university?’

Numerous factors, including parental perspectives, family career paths, societal trends, friendships and cultural influences, can shape students’ choices for their future careers.

In my school, I have observed that some students lack interest in continuing their studies, often because they don’t believe that it’s important. Perhaps they simply want to follow in their parents’ footsteps, or they have inherited an ambivalence for academic achievement, resulting in a lack of ambition. In certain instances, students choose to forgo university education in favour of working for their parents.

It can be particularly challenging when parents agree that their child’s education should stop after high school, despite having the means to support further study.

Not going to university: a choice to regret?

Last year, one of my students achieved remarkable academic success, surpassing her peers. Despite receiving encouragement from her family – including her brother, who had made a similar decision a year before – she opted to follow in her family’s footsteps and forgo university study.

I couldn’t help but feel that she possessed great academic potential, and worried that she might come to regret her choice in the future. However, as her counsellor, it was crucial that I show respect for her decisions, especially when her parents supported them.

Despite my attempts to involve the parents in the parent-teacher meeting, they declined the invitation because they had already decided against their child pursuing higher education. The situation becomes critical when parents are unwilling to work with us to determine the best course of action for their children’s future. Nevertheless, as counsellors, we have to make every effort to assist and offer comprehensive support.

How to approach the issue

We have a range of particular actions that we can provide for students in these specific circumstances.

Acknowledge their dreams: inspire the student to reflect on their goal of, for example, joining the family business, and their determination to not pursue a university education. Validate their feelings and carefully consider their reasons for making this choice.

Discuss the benefits of higher education: explain how university can greatly enhance personal and professional growth. It fosters the development of critical-thinking, problem-solving and communication skills. These skills are not only valuable for future career success, but also for effectively contributing to the family business.

Investigate flexible study options: explore part-time or online degree programmes to see if students could manage academia and the family business simultaneously. This can also be used to address concerns about time and finances.

Discuss and communicate with the parents and students: Whether or not the students choose to pursue higher education, modelling effective communication is likely to be helpful to them in the future.

The value of staying connected

Students need to feel secure when expressing their aspirations and thoughts regarding their future educational goals. We aim to provide them with helpful advice. Ultimately, the choice is theirs, and we cannot impose our views on them, even if we are concerned about their decisions.

I stay connected with my students even after graduation, ensuring that they feel comfortable reaching out to me for advice at any point in their lives. That way they know that they can always come to me for university advice if they decide to change their minds.