Problems and Difficulties Encountered and Training Needs of College Students Basis for Improving Guidance and Counseling Services

Finishing college education nowadays is very challenging. These challenges come in the form of problems and difficulties that students need to overcome in order for them to finish college. Identifying these problems provides information on improving the student guidance and counseling services of the school. It helps students handle the challenges of academic life, thus giving them a better chance to survive and finish college. This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the problems and difficulties encountered by college students. This study was conducted at WPU-Quezon Campus, and a total of 300 students – enrolled during the first semester of SY 2015-2016 – were considered as respondents of the study. Descriptive statistics were employed in describing the data gathered, such as frequency counts, averages, rankings, and percentages. The data revealed that most of the problems encountered were personal related problems such as: time management, unexplainable fear of failure in exams, lack of self-confidence, poor study habits, nervousness, and lack of self-control. It was also noted that the majority of students did not seek guidance and counselling from a school counselor, instead they tried to solve their own problems. This study recommends that the student guidance and counseling services of the school should provide intervention activities, such as seminars, training, workshops, retreat and symposia, which will empower students in handling their problems.

Keywords – counseling, difficulties, guidance, problems