Why writing academic articles can help school students choose their degree

Every student should choose a degree major that reflects their interests, abilities and future career goals. This major is not only a learning field but also a foundation for their professional life. 

For this reason, it is very important to help students explore their chosen fields deeply and meaningfully. One effective way to do this is by motivating students to write academic articles related to the subjects they are interested in. This encourages independent learning and helps students to build a strong connection with their major.

When students write articles, they must investigate their field, analyse different perspectives and discover new aspects of their subject. Writing an article pushes students beyond surface-level learning and requires them to think critically, ask questions and search for answers using reliable and academic sources. 

As a result, students do not simply memorise information. Instead, they actively engage with knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of their major.

Learning academic skills

Through the process of writing an academic article, students gain several essential academic skills. First, they learn how to structure and write an academic article correctly, including introduction, literature review, methodology, discussion and conclusion. 

Second, they learn how to search for reliable information by using academic journals, books and trusted online databases rather than unreliable sources. Third, they improve their ability to express their own ideas clearly, logically and academically.

Most importantly, they gain extensive knowledge about the topic they are studying, which strengthens their confidence and academic competence.

After completing their articles, students may have the opportunity to publish them in journals or present them at conferences. This achievement is extremely valuable for their academic portfolios. Certificates received from journals and conferences play a significant role when students apply to top-ranking universities. Published articles demonstrate students’ creativity, research ability and dedication to their field. 

Moreover, these early research experiences lay a strong foundation for future academic stages such as master’s and doctoral degrees.

Leading by example

This activity is highly beneficial not only for students but also for school counsellors. Counsellors who encourage students to write academic articles help them discover their academic interests and career directions more clearly. 

However, to use this technique effectively, counsellors must first develop their own academic skills. They should learn the rules of academic writing and ideally publish several articles themselves. This experience allows counsellors to understand the challenges students may face and provide accurate, practical guidance.

Once counsellors gain sufficient experience, they can organise seminars or workshops on article writing for students who are interested in research and academic development. These seminars can cover topics such as choosing a research topic, finding reliable sources, avoiding plagiarism and preparing articles for publication. 

Additionally, while teaching article writing, counsellors can use psychological tests to identify students’ interests, strengths and suitable majors. These tests help counsellors understand students better and guide them in selecting appropriate research topics. When students work on topics aligned with their interests, they become more motivated, productive and successful.