David on the Run

David on the Run
1 Samuel 22: 1- 23: 24

The other day, a student was discussing his future plans with me. He believed God was telling him that he should stay at the seminary for another year to do further courses to improve his chances of getting into a doctoral program, that he should then apply to our seminary for doctoral study, and that in order to focus on his study he should give up his current job and take on something more part-time. I nodded sagely, but inside I rolled my eyes. What gives people the impression that God guides them over such matters?