Happiness in Learning of Students at the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus

Abstract

This research is a survey study with the following objectives: 1) to examine personal factors and supportive factors for happiness in learning, 2) to assess the level of happiness in learning, 3) to compare personal factors with happiness in learning, and 4) to compare supportive factors with happiness in learning. Data collection was conducted using an online closed-ended questionnaire through Google Forms. The sample consisted of 120 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and f-test. The research findings revealed that: 1) Among the respondents, 99 were female, accounting for 82.5%, while 21 were male, making up 17.5%. The students were in their first to fourth years, with 30 students from each year, representing 25.0% per year. In terms of academic disciplines, 104 students were studying in the field of arts, which is 86.7%, while 16 students were in the field of sciences, accounting for 13.3%. Regarding the supportive factors for happiness in learning, students reported the highest levels of happiness in the following areas: In the family aspect, 74.2% indicated that their families are loving and caring for one another. In terms of self-esteem, 70.8% of students expressed confidence in their ability to complete their studies. Lastly, in the value of learning, 72.5% stated that they attend classes regularly.2) The overall level of happiness in learning across all three areas was found to be high (mean = 4.00, S.D. = 0.92). When considering each area individually, the highest level of happiness in learning among students was related to the university environment, which was also rated high (mean = 4.08, S.D. = 0.93). This was followed by the teaching and learning aspect, rated high (mean = 3.96, S.D. = 0.86), while the lowest was the relationships with classmates and teachers, which still fell within the high range (mean = 3.95, S.D. = 0.98). 3)The study comparing personal factors with students' happiness in learning found that gender did not show a significant difference in happiness levels. However, differences were observed based on academic year and field of study, which significantly affected happiness in learning at the 0.05 level.4) The comparison of supportive factors with happiness in learning revealed that the supportive factor related to family relationships did not show a statistically significant difference in overall happiness in learning at the 0.05 level. However, the supportive factor of self-esteem did show significant differences across the three areas of happiness in learning at the 0.05 level. Additionally, the supportive factor related to the value of learning showed significant differences in overall happiness in learning across the three areas at the 0.05 level.