Journal of Education and Counseling (JECO)

“Comfort Zone” of Counselor and Counselee in Counseling Service

Awalya Siska Pratiwi — 2025-12-31

The provision of guidance and counseling services with the aim of achieving optimal student development will be implemented if the counselor knows what factors make the counselee feel comfortable. The objective of this study is to assess the level of comfort experienced by both the counselor and the counselee, thereby facilitating the realization of the service. The research employed is a qualitative literature review, examining several sources, including books, journals, and other relevant materials, as the primary research object. It has been determined that becoming a counselor is not solely contingent upon physical evidence, such as a diploma that substantiates completion of a bachelor's degree program in guidance and counseling, along with graduation from a professional education program for teachers. Additional factors must be taken into consideration. A professional counselor must possess a fundamental understanding of the ethical principles that govern their practice and exhibit personal characteristics conducive to effective counseling. When a counselor exhibits the anticipated characteristics and ethics, establishing a relationship between the counselor and the counselee is not a sufficient challenge in itself. In addition to the internal factors present within a counseling context, external factors such as facilities and infrastructure play a pivotal role in the implementation of counseling services.

Integration of Physical Activities into Guidance and Counseling Services to Enhance Students’ Emotional Well-Being

Nor Hidayah — 2025-12-31

Emotional well-being and physical activity are two essential components that support students’ holistic development. This article explores how physical activity can enhance students’ emotional well-being through guidance and counseling services. Using a literature review method, the article examines relevant studies published between 2014 and 2025. The findings indicate that emotional well-being significantly influences academic achievement, character development, and students’ social relationships. Meanwhile, physical activity not only benefits physical health but also helps reduce stress, elevate mood, and strengthen the counseling process. Integrating physical activity into guidance and counseling services has proven effective in supporting students' mental health. Therefore, collaboration among teachers, families, and school policymakers is crucial in creating an environment that promotes sustained psychological well-being and healthy lifestyles.

An Analysis of Academic Entitlement Among Undergraduate Student

Siti Dini Fakhriya — 2025-12-31

Academic entitlement is a belief that has become one of the issues in higher education. The purpose of this study is to determine the academic entitlement of undergraduate students according to their gender and involvement in organizations. The study involved 159 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Psychology at UIN Raden Fatah Palembang, who answered the online survey. The quantitative method will be applied. The instrument used academic entitlement scale by Chowning and Campbell's (2009) consist of 15 items from two factors, 10 items that evaluate externalized responsibilities, and 5 items that evaluate entitled expectations. The difference in academic entitlement by gender and organization participation is examined using a descriptive statistic and t-test. The results reveal that while there is a significant difference in academic entitlement (AE) based on organization participation, there is no significant difference in AE based on gender. Academic entitlement could occur in the university and it could lead to misconduct behavior, therefore future research should explore about the factor and impact from academic entitlement to address the potential development of academic entitlement in undergraduate student

Development of an NLP-Based Communication Manual for Classroom Guidance Services in Junior High School

Rizki Erdiantoro — 2025-12-31

Effective communication is a key element in the success of school counseling services, particularly in classroom guidance, which is delivered in group settings to students in the classroom. Unfortunately, many school counselors still apply one-way communication patterns that limit active student participation. This study aims to develop an effective Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)-based communication guide for junior high school counselors to implement classroom guidance services. The research method used is Research and Development (R&D), adapted from the Borg & Gall model (1983) and modified to include only the expert and user validation stages. Data were collected through literature reviews, interviews, and the distribution of validation instruments to experts and prospective users, including school counselors. The result of the development is a guidance manual that includes the basic concepts of NLP, communication strategies, and their application in classroom-based counseling services. Validation results indicate that the developed guide is feasible, useful, and well-targeted. This study offers practical contributions by providing pedagogical tools that support school counselors’ communication skills through a systematic, applicable approach. The findings recommend NLP as an innovative approach to foster a more interactive communication climate within classroom guidance sessions.

Student Satisfaction and Perception of The Role of Guidance and Counseling Services in Junior High Schools in Cilegon City

Rani Maharani — 2025-12-31

Student satisfaction serves as a fundamental indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of Guidance and Counseling services in educational settings. This study aims to assess student satisfaction levels and perceptions regarding the role of guidance and counseling services in Junior High Schools in Cilegon City. Utilizing a quantitative descriptive approach, data were collected from 311 students selected via random sampling from a population of 7,583. The analysis employed descriptive statistics to measure central tendencies and data distribution. The results indicate that overall student satisfaction falls within the high category (Mean = 3.40), as does the perception of the guidance and counseling service's role (Mean = 3.33). Students responded positively to interpersonal aspects, particularly counselor empathy and the assurance of confidentiality. However, the study identified significant gaps in specific areas, notably the lack of effective academic interventions for low-achieving students and dissatisfaction with the physical comfort of counseling facilities. The findings suggest that while guidance and counseling services are generally effective and well-received, strategic improvements are necessary. To optimize service quality, schools must prioritize proactive academic support, enhance physical facilities, and ensure continuous professional development for counselors. These measures are essential for transforming guidance and counseling into a holistic instrument for student development.

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Implementation on Academic Stress among First-Year University Students

Khoirotus Silfiyah Dara Nur Fadilla — 2025-12-31

This study examines the effectiveness of mindfulness implementation in reducing academic stress among first-year students of the Guidance and Counseling Study Program at UNUGIRI Bojonegoro. The study is motivated by the fact that first-year students are highly vulnerable to academic stress due to transitional demands, including adapting to a new learning system, increased academic workload, and higher achievement expectations. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of academic stress experienced by first-year students. This research employed a quantitative experimental approach using a quasi-experimental design with a one-group pretest–posttest model. The research subjects consisted of 30 first-year students. Academic stress was measured before and after the mindfulness intervention using a standardized stress scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, including normality testing and a paired-samples t-test. The normality test showed a p-value of 0.954, indicating that the data were normally distributed. The research hypothesis was that implementing mindfulness is effective in reducing academic stress among first-year students. The results showed that the mean pretest score before the mindfulness intervention was 95.37, while the mean posttest score after the intervention was 68.37. Descriptive analysis revealed a significant decrease in the mean academic stress scores from pretest to posttest. Statistical analysis indicated that the mindfulness intervention contributed positively to the management of academic stress among participants. These findings demonstrate that mindfulness implementation positively supports first-year Guidance and Counseling students at UNUGIRI Bojonegoro in managing academic stress. Through mindfulness practice, students are trained to become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and experiences, to accept academic pressures without excessive reactions, and to develop a calmer and more adaptive perspective in responding to various academic demands.

Actuating Guidance and Counseling Services in Schools with Imbalanced Counselor–Student Ratios: Insights from a Focus Group Discussion Study

Fajar Juliansyah — 2025-12-31

This study analyzes the implementation of management functions, particularly the actuating aspect, in the delivery of guidance and counseling services in schools with an unbalanced counselor–student ratio. Using a qualitative case study approach, participants were selected purposively from seven Guidance and Counseling teachers at junior, senior, and vocational high schools in West Java who directly manage disproportionate student ratios. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGD), which were audio- and video-recorded and transcribed to ensure data accuracy and validity. The data were then analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model, which involves data reduction, display, and conclusion drawing. The findings show a significant ratio gap (1:450–1:850) compared to the ideal 1:150 set by Permendikbud No. 111 of 2014, resulting in the dominance of responsive services and limited implementation of basic and individual planning services. Despite this, teachers adapted the actuating function through modified service methods, stakeholder collaboration, and the use of technology to improve efficiency. Partial effectiveness was found in responsive and career guidance services, contributing to improved student attendance and success. The study recommends strengthening policies by adding Guidance and Counseling teachers, allocating classical guidance hours, and developing a Guidance and Counseling Management Information System to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability of management functions in supporting holistic student development.

The Literature Review: The Influence of Peer Conformity on Academic Procrastination among Students

Nisa Nur Afifah — 2025-12-31

This study is a literature review of 18 scientific sources, primarily from the Indonesian educational context, that examine the relationship between peer conformity and academic procrastination in Indonesian students. The results of the analysis show that conformity, as a form of social influence that encourages individuals to adjust to the values, norms, and behaviors of the group for social acceptance, has three main aspects: cohesiveness, agreement, and obedience. Meanwhile, academic procrastination is understood as the deliberate and repeated postponement of tasks that negatively impacts student achievement and well-being, involving behavioral and psychological aspects. The levels of peer conformity and academic procrastination among students are generally moderate, influenced by age, social context, and educational environment. A total of 84% of the literature shows a positive and significant influence of conformity on procrastination, while 16% state that it has no effect, indicating that other psychosocial factors need to be further examined.

Modernizing Mental Health: The Role, Ethics, and Competencies of Counseling in the Digital Age

Syifa Nurul Maola — 2025-12-31

This article critically re-examines the modernization of counselling in the digital age, arguing that technology is not merely an auxiliary tool but a disruptive force that threatens to redefine the foundations of therapeutic practice. Using a systematic literature review, 38 primary sources were analysed: 31 peer-reviewed journal articles, 4 academic books, and 3 professional guidelines selected through PRISMA-based screening from Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate (2008–2025). The findings indicate that tele-counselling, counselling applications, and AI-assisted interventions significantly expand access and offer flexible, data-driven mental health support. However, the evidence also reveals an ethical paradox: while digital platforms claim to democratise psychological services, they simultaneously increase vulnerability to privacy violations, algorithmic bias, and emotional disconnection. Particularly for adolescents, technology-mediated counselling correlates with emerging risks, including social media addiction, cyberbullying trauma, and digital isolation that paradoxically require the very counselling services the platforms aim to provide. These results challenge the assumption that technological innovation inherently improves counselling outcomes and suggest that the profession may be approaching a critical inflexion point: counsellors must develop digital competencies or risk being replaced by artificial systems incapable of empathy. The study concludes that technology can strengthen mental health services only if strict ethical safeguards, digital literacy, and a reaffirmation of the therapeutic alliance as the non-negotiable core of counselling guide its integration.

School-Based Approaches in Addressing Suicidal Behavior among High School Students: A Perspective from Filipino Guidance Counselors

Mary Anne Cupo — 2025-12-31

For some, schools are more than just places to learn. They serve as sanctuaries for students. Recent reports indicate a troubling rise in suicide rates among Filipino students, requiring urgent attention. Despite implemented solutions, new challenges continue to emerge, calling for ongoing work. Hence, this study explored the practical interventions and counseling techniques of four registered guidance counselors and one guidance associate in handling cases of suicidal behavior among high school students, the factors influencing the selection and application of these interventions and techniques, and the process of assessing the effectiveness of interventions in addressing suicidal behavior using data from semi-structured interviews analyzed through Giorgi and colleagues’ descriptive phenomenological analysis (2017). Key interventions include integrating various counseling techniques, tailoring individualized support strategies to students’ unique needs, and implementing structured referral systems that encourage collaboration with parents and other relevant stakeholders. The results provide important insights into the strategies utilized by school personnel to address suicidal behavior among students. These outcomes underscore the need for ongoing refinement in addressing mental health concerns, highlighting the importance of a collaborative and adaptive approach to ensure student well-being.