STUDY ON THE COMMITMENT AND PERSISTENCE OF STUDENTS IN THEIR LEARNING PROCESS
Keywords:
academic success, volunteering, dedication, perseveranceAbstract
This study was conducted at “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” University in Burgas and involved 308 students from all majors within the Faculty of Social Sciences, who completed an anonymous survey. The study aims to examine the manifestation of grit among students as a core trait for sustainable development. Grit is expressed through persistence and dedication in pursuing goals, the effort invested in mastering new skills, and the realization of these skills through achievements. Without effort, skills remain unfulfilled potential; with effort, talents transform into skills, and skills, in turn, lead to achievements. Building on this concept, the present study explores the influence of various volunteer initiatives and activities at the university on the degree to which grit manifests as a character trait in students. Angela Duckworth’s Grit Scale was utilized to measure grit in the participants. The analysis aims to identify intersections between students' self-assessed academic performance, their engagement in various volunteer initiatives, and the strength of their character as demonstrated through commitment and persistence. Results vary according to students’ age and stage of study. A comparison of proportions among students with differing self-assessments of academic success, levels of participation in volunteer initiatives, and levels of grit indicates that academic achievements do not exert a significant influence on grit levels. While the majority of students in the first, second, and third years rate their academic performance as average, their grit remains high. In contrast to academic performance, participation in volunteer initiatives aligns with a steady increase in grit. This finding suggests that students' dedication and persistence are influenced more by involvement in various initiatives and activities than by academic excellence. These initiatives not only provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge but also enable them to express and develop their character strengths, challenge themselves, and become increasingly engaged in their own professional and personal growth.
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