ON THE RIGHT TRACK: DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY THE SELECTED NON-ABM GRADUATES FIRST YEAR ACCOUNTANCY STUDENTS OF GENERAL DE JESUS COLLEGE

Abstract

Senior high school aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to pursue successful careers in the future and to prepare them for college. However, there are observable cases in which students enroll in college courses that are unrelated to their senior high school track or strand. In this study, the researchers determined the challenges and coping mechanisms encountered by first-year accountancy students who came from non-ABM senior high school backgrounds. This study employed qualitative research, specifically a phenomenological design. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to conduct face-to-face interviews at General De Jesus College to address the challenges faced by non-ABM accountancy students. Hand-raising was also utilized to identify possible participants. Semi-structured interviews with audio recordings were conducted, focusing on the students’ experiences and the solutions they used to address challenges in their current course. Data interpretation and analysis followed the interviews to ensure a targeted approach to the study. The majority of the respondents were female and predominantly from the BSA 1D section, with most coming from the GAS strand. Most of the students found the accountancy course challenging because their senior high school areas of study were different and not directly related to accountancy, unlike ABM students who already possessed prior knowledge of the course. Additionally, the respondents struggled with learning their major subjects. Most of the respondents experienced self-doubt and anxiety as they pursued accountancy studies, particularly regarding their academic performance and their perceived ability to meet the program’s standards. It was recommended that engaging in advanced study could help overcome these challenges. Most respondents also mentioned that being accountable for their academics, as well as being dedicated and committed to their studies, could assist them in succeeding in accountancy. The results highlight the key concerns of the study, including the difficulties encountered by first-year non-ABM BSA students. These difficulties involve a lack of academic foundation, self-doubt, perseverance, and challenges in major subjects. The study also explored coping strategies such as dedication, commitment, and studying lessons in advance. Furthermore, the findings suggest that students can pursue their desired courses regardless of their senior high school strand, provided that appropriate coping strategies and support mechanisms are applied.