First and Second Year CAS Students' Adjustment Concerns in UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences: A Phenomenological Research

Abstract

Due to the rise of first and second year students going to Guidance asking for help, this study was designed to explore the adjustment experiences of these students of the University of the Philippines Manila, College of Arts and Sciences. The study design is Phenomenological research that targeted to interview CAS students to gather in-depth knowledge regarding their adjustment experiences, information on their adjustment concerns and their causes, coping mechanisms and their effectivity, as well as, the students' positive adjustment and their causes. Thematic analysis was done to see the common themes regarding the students' adjustment concerns and positive adjustment. The students’ adjustment concerns were classified under three themes: Personal, Student Engagement, and Environmental. It was seen that most of the interviewed students have problems with regards to their Communication with the college administration, often not knowing updates and certain announcements and changes happening in the college. To cope, they mostly look for social support either from their friends or family. Looking at this, it can be seen that improving and giving importance to the connection of the students to the college administration, as well as, programs that focus on social support would be very helpful to their adjustment period.