The Multidimensional Phenomenon of Study Success in Higher Education—A Head Start to Success at Work?

Abstract

Universities are worried about students’ satisfaction and well-being. These elements are important when pursuing to enhance efficient graduation and quality outcomes in studies. The changing world, indeed, has changed the elements of success in education and in work, too, which is the area of life students enter from universities. The purpose of this article is, first, to discuss the prerequisites of study success in universities, and second, to establish a connection between the phenomena of success in studies and success at work. The viewpoint leans of positive psychology. Students themselves were asked to describe success in their studies. How do students themselves perceive their study processes and what do they think about the factors that promote their success in studies. The research questions were: (1) what have been the most pleasing study experiences the students have encountered in university studies?; and (2) what factors have enhanced their study progress and success according to their own perceptions? Students (N=186) answered to an internet-based open-ended questionnaire. The data were analyzed in a data-based manner which resulted in eight most frequently mentioned success factor in the questionnaire data.   The findings showed that there are some similarities between the phenomenon of success in studies and at work. The phenomenon is illustrated as the conclusion, and the finding can be used when developing university education to better meet the demands of the modern, changing world of work.