Abstract
Mathematics has been known to be an intimidating subject to study, which leads many students to choose other courses instead of majoring in Mathematics. This qualitative study investigated the lived experiences of the students who chose Mathematics as their second option, the challenges they faced while taking the course, and the variables that influenced their decision to specialize in Mathematics education in college. Using the Heideggerian Phenomenology and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) based on Moustakas Modified Van Kaam Approach, the study analyzes the narratives of 16 participants from Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) Math 1 students at Cebu Technological University-Moalboal Campus and identifies four core themes: (1) The Seeker, (2) The Warrior, (3) The Motivated, and (4) The Consequences of Choices. The findings suggest that these students have developed a strong sense of purpose and motivation despite facing challenges along the way. It is recommended that schools should implement programs to change student’s perspectives on BSEd Mathematics courses and further investigation of various instructional techniques and approaches should be done to foster the appreciation of Mathematics among students.
