Why Students Are Dissatisfied with Their Studies: Professional Choice, Educational Experience, and Learning Difficulties

Analyzing student satisfaction with their studies enables not only the measurement of a key educational quality indicator but also the identification of areas to enhance the educational process. The level of satisfaction reflects the alignment between the conditions of the educational environment, the demands of the learning process, and the expectations, aspirations, and resources of students. Therefore, to understand the causes of dissatisfaction, it is advisable to study not only external conditions but also personal factors, as well as the student experience generated within the educational process. The purpose of this study is to determine whether student satisfaction with the external aspects of studies is related to their attitude towards their future profession and their educational experience, and to characterize the specific experiences of students who are dissatisfied with their studies. The empirical research employed survey and testing methods. The sample consisted of 351 firstto fourth-year students enrolled in IT-related programs. The results revealed a correlation between satisfaction with the pedagogical, infrastructure, and organizational aspects of university education and the students’ engagement and learning autonomy, the fulfillment of basic needs in learning, students’ confidence in their success and support, and their confidence that their choice of a field of study as a future professional field that aligns with their interests and abilities. Among students dissatisfied with their studies, motivational difficulties – such as a lack of desire to learn and a loss of interest – were most common. It is concluded that a lack of student interest in mastering their chosen profession and a lack of confidence in their ability to cope with academic tasks leads to a deficit in internal motivation and dissatisfaction with their studies. The findings contribute to the scientific understanding of the factors and mechanisms underlying student dissatisfaction and suggest an approach to addressing this problem. The research materials will be useful to educational quality researchers, administrators, and instructors seeking to improve the educational process.