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U4PracticeWAWorksheet (1)

The document discusses the importance of understanding one's purpose for attending university, emphasizing that it is a personal choice rather than a mandatory step. It introduces 'The Five Whys' technique to help individuals explore their motivations and deeper reasons for their educational pursuits. Additionally, it highlights the benefits of having a strong sense of purpose, including increased motivation, reduced stress, and greater job satisfaction.

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3 views

U4PracticeWAWorksheet (1)

The document discusses the importance of understanding one's purpose for attending university, emphasizing that it is a personal choice rather than a mandatory step. It introduces 'The Five Whys' technique to help individuals explore their motivations and deeper reasons for their educational pursuits. Additionally, it highlights the benefits of having a strong sense of purpose, including increased motivation, reduced stress, and greater job satisfaction.

Uploaded by

wondwosen.asegid
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Why Are You in University or Have Chosen to Continue

Your Learning?
We know that university is not mandatory—like kindergarten through 12th grade is—and it
is not free. You have chosen to commit several years of hard work to earn a degree or to
further your learning. In some cases, you may have had to work really hard to get here by
getting good grades and test scores in high school and earning money to pay your fees and
other expenses. Now you have more at stake and a clearer path to achieving your goals,
but you still need to be able to answer the question.

To help answer this question, consider the following questioning technique called “The
Five Whys” which was originally created by Sakichi Toyoda, a Japanese inventor whose
strategy was used by the Toyota Motor Company to find the underlying cause of a
problem. While your decision to go to university or continue your studies is not a problem,
the exercise is helpful to uncover your underlying purpose for studying.

The process starts with a “Why” question to which you want to know the answer. Then, the
next four “Why” questions use a portion of the previous answer to help you dig further into
the answer to the original question. Here is an example of “The Five Whys,” with the first
question, “Why are you in university, or have chosen to continue your studies?”

While the example is one from a student who knows what she wants to study, this process
does not require that you have a specific degree or career in mind. In fact, if you are
undecided, you can explore the “why” of your indecision. Is it because you have many
choices, or are you unsure what you really want out of university/your studies?

The Five Whys in Action


1. Why are you in university?

I am in university to earn a degree in business administration.

2. Why do you want to earn a degree in business administration?

I want to be able to build a business.

3. Why do you want to build a business?

I believe that building a business will enrich my life and those of others.

4. Why do you feel it is important to have a business that will enrich your life and those
of others?

www.UoPeople.edu
I feel that we must provide for ourselves as well as others and having a business will
facilitate this.

5. Why do you feel that we must provide for ourselves as well as others and that
having a business will facilitate this?

I feel that it is my purpose and responsibility to help others as well as provide for my
family and myself.

Do you see how this student went beyond a standard answer about what they wanted to
study and connected it to her study plans and an overall purpose to help others in a specific
way?

Had she not been instructed to delve a little deeper with each answer, it is likely that she
would not have so quickly articulated that deeper purpose. And that understanding of
“why” you are studying—beyond the degree you want, the job you desire or personal
enrichment—is key to staying motivated through what will most likely be some challenging
times.

How else does knowing your “why,” or your deeper reason for being in university, help
you? According to Angela Duckworth (2016), a researcher on grit—what it takes for us to
dig in deep when faced with adversity and continue to work toward our goal—knowing
your purpose can be the booster to grit that can help you succeed. Other research has
found that people with a strong sense of purpose are less likely to experience stress and
anxiety (Burrow, 2013) and more likely to be satisfied in their jobs (Weir, 2013). Therefore,
being able to answer the question “Why are you in university?” not only satisfies the
person asking, but it also has direct benefits to your overall well-being.

ACTIVITY
Try “The Five Whys” yourself below to help you get a better sense of your purpose and to
give you a worthy answer for anyone who asks you, “Why are you in university?”

The Five Whys: Your Turn


Complete the following statements as best as you can, then save this document, and
submit it to the Practice Written Assignment.

1. Why are you in university?


I am in university to get my computer science degree.

2. Why do you want to get your cs degree?


Because I would like to become an expert in computer softwares programming.

3. Why do you want to become an expert in computer softwares programming?

www.UoPeople.edu
So that I can design and create useful and efficient systems that help in automating
and completely revolutionize our perception of technology

4. Why do you feel like it’s important to do that?

I believe we all have our purposes when we’re born to this world, and mine is to
impact the tech perspective in a good and cool way- fulfilling my destiny :)

5. Why do you think like that?


Uhh you wouldn’t get it anyways

References:

● Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The power and passion of perseverance. Simon & Schuster.
● Burrow, A.L. & Hill, P.L. (2013). Derailed by diversity? Purpose buffers the
relationship between ethnic composition on trains and passenger negative
mood. Personality and Psychology Bulletin, 39 (12), 1610-1619.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167213499377.
● Weir, K. (2013). More than job satisfaction: Psychologists are discovering what
makes work meaningful--and how to create value in any job. American Psychological
Association, 44 (11), 39.

www.UoPeople.edu

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