Student Resilience Concerning Discrepancies Between AcademicExpectations And Reality At Selected Universities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29240/jbk.v10i1.15331Keywords:
academic resilience, academic expectations, psychological adaptabilityAbstract
The disparity between students’ initial expectations and the realities of college life may cause emotional stress, academic perplexity, and psychological adaptation problems. The complex reality of campus life often does not meet the idealistic image many students have of their academic accomplishments, the learning environment, and social interactions when they arrive at university. This state makes understanding academic resilience vital as the process of students adapting to the challenges of higher education. The purpose of this research is to analyze student resilience in the context of the gap between expectations of study and the reality of the university experience. This study combines a qualitative technique using a narrative inquiry research design. The participants were recruited purposively, consisting of three students from Sungai Penuh, Jambi, who continued their studies beyond their home region and had faced a mismatch between academic expectations and reality on campus. Data were acquired via in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic-reflective analysis. The research results demonstrate that the mismatch of expectations causes a phase of emotional disorientation characterized by disappointment, academic pressure, and a drop in self-confidence. However, individuals gradually built resilience through cognitive reframing, coping techniques, social support, emotional regulation, and reinterpretation of their academic experiences. This paper views academic resilience as a dynamic and ongoing adaptive process, rather than merely the ability to withstand pressure. This research underlines the necessity of psychological counseling services, counseling, and social assistance in higher education for students to acquire better skills in academic adaptation.
Downloads
References
Akbar, Zarina, and M. Aisyawati. 2021. “Coping Strategy, Social Support, and Psychological Distress Among University Students in Jakarta, Indonesia During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Frontiers in Psychology 12:694122. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.694122.
Alfiyan, Alvin, Ishma Najya Zafira Purnama, Wyke Youlanda, D. Kaloeti, and Hastaning Sakti. 2021. “Psychological Distress Among Freshmen University Students.” Pp. 54–59 in International Conference on Psychological Studies (ICPSYCHE 2020). Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research.
Clandinin, D. Jean, and F. Michae. Connelly. 2000. Narrative Inquiry: Experience and Story in Qualitative Research. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Cowden, Richard G., Eric N. Fung, Andrea O. Bechara, Kaye V Cook, Ni Made Taganing Kurniati, Christiany Suwartono, Nilam Widyarini, and Tyler J. VanderWeele. 2025. “Does Meaning in Life Mediate Associations Between Suffering and Subsequent Mental Well-Being? Longitudinal Evidence From Two Non-Western Samples.” Stress and Health : Journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress 41(1):e3530. doi: 10.1002/smi.3530.
Crossley, Michele L. 2000. Introducing Narrative Psychology: Self, Trauma and the Construction of Meaning. Philadelpia: Open University Press.
Eva, Nur, Dinda Dwi Parameitha, F. Farah, and Fia Nurfitriana. 2021. “Academic Resilience and Subjective Well-Being amongst College Students Using Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Pp. 202–14 in ICoPsy International Conference of Psychology. KnE Social Sciences.
Faridah, Faridah, Sulfikar K, Ahmad Yasser Mansur, and M. Zakaria Al Anshori. 2025. “Resiliensi: Menjaga Ketahanan Mental Dalam Menghadapi Tantangan Hidup.” Jurnal Mimbar Media Intelektual Muslim Dan Bimbingan Rohani 11(1):13–33. doi: 10.47435/mimbar.v11i01.3636.
Fauk, Nelsensius Klau, Lillian Mwanri, Hailay Abrha Gesesew, and Paul Russell Ward. 2023. “Biographical Reinvention: An Asset-Based Approach to Understanding the World of Men Living with HIV in Indonesia.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20(16):6616. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20166616.
Findyartini, Ardi, Nadia Greviana, Azis Muhammad Putera, and Reynardi Larope Sutanto. 2021. “The Relationships between Resilience and Student Personal Factors in an Undergraduate Medical Program.” BMC Medical Education 21(1):113. doi: 10.1186/s12909-021-02547-5.
Fredrickson, Barbara L. 2001. “The Role of Positive Emotions in Positive Psychology: The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions.” American Psychologist 56(3):218–26. doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218.
Fredrickson, Barbara L. 2004. “The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions.” The Royal Society 1367–77. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2004.1512.
Idris, F., I. Zulkipli, Khadizah Abdul-Mumin, Siti Rohaiza Ahmad, Shahid Mitha, H. Rahman, Rajan Rajabalaya, S. David, and L. Naing. 2021. “Academic Experiences, Physical and Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Students and Lecturers in Health Care Education.” BMC Medical Education 21(1):542. doi: 10.1186/s12909-021-02968-2.
Khairiyyah, Syarifah Najmah, and Agoes Dariyo. 2026. “Keterkaitan Identitas Sosial Dan Resiliensi Pada Individu Dewasa Awal Generasi Z.” YASIN 6(1):553–69. doi: 10.58578/yasin.v6i1.8890.
Komariah, Maria, Theresia Eriyani, Laili Rahayuwati, Hana Rizmadewi Agustina, Furkon Nurhakim, Irman Somantri, S. Qadous, Aurawan Janmanee, and Nina Gartika. 2025. “Quality of Life, Self-Esteem, and Stress among First-Semester Student Nurses in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study.” SAGE Open Nursing 11(6):1–10. doi: 10.1177/23779608251317805.
Kristiyani, Titik. 2021. “Tekanan Psikologis Mahasiswa Saat Pembelajaran Jarak Jauh Selama Pandemi COVID-19.” SMART: Seminar on Architecture Research and Technology 5(1):121–31.
Lazarus, Richard S., and Susan Folkman. 1984. Stress, Appraisal and Coping. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Malsya, Regi, Eko Sujadi, Syaiful Indra, and Iqmal Wahyudi. 2025. “The Psychological Condition of Parents with Children Addicted to Glue: Emotional Tension and Parental Guilt.” Al-Musyrif: Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling Islam 8(2):208–23. doi: 10.38073/almusyrif.v8i2.2763.
Miles, M. B., M. A. Huberman, and J. Saldana. 2020. Qualitative Data Analysis. 4th ed. SAGE Publications.
Mostafa, H., Dana Alahmadi, Shahad Jorob, Lubna Murtada, Razan Aloufi, Sereen Almeshaly, and Raghad Aloufi. 2023. “Psychological Impact of Online Education on University Students.” Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences 11(B):9–14. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2023.10917.
Muhlisa, Nida, and N. Aeni. 2021. “The Correlation Between Coping Strategy and Academic Resilience in Medical Faculty Students.” PSIMPHONI 1(2):75–84. doi: 10.30595/psimphoni.v1i2.8099.
Najmudin, Mohamad, and Danang Sunyoto. 2026. “Peran Emosi Positif Dalam Menumbuhkan Kebiasaan Pengelolaan Sampah Mandiri Di Keluarga Muda.” Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat 5(1):321–30. doi: 10.30640/abdimas45.v5i1.5999.
Nickerson, A., Joel Hoffman, David Keegan, Shraddha Kashyap, Diah Tricesaria, Zico Pestalozzi, Argadianti Rachmah, R. Nandyatama, Mitra Khakbaz, Nindita Nilasari, and B. Liddell. 2022. “Context, Coping, and Mental Health in Refugees Living in Protracted Displacement.” Journal of Traumatic Stress 35(6):1769–82. doi: 10.1002/jts.22885.
Octasya, Tivanny, and Eem Munawaroh. 2021. “Level of Academic Stress for Students of Guidance and Counseling at Semarang State University during the Pandemic.” ProGCouns: Journal of Professionals in Guidance and Counseling 2(1):27–33. doi: 10.21831/progcouns.v2i1.40275.
Permatasari, Nirwana, Dewi Retno Suminar, Wiwin Hendriani, and Suryadi Tandiayuk. 2025. “A Scoping Review on Psychosocial Adjustment among Nomadic Students in Higher Education: Insights from Indonesia and Global Perspectives.” BMC Psychology 13(1):1224. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-03503-4.
Primasari, Indira, Chris Hoeboer, Anne Bakker, and Miranda Olff. 2022. “Validation of the Indonesian Resilience Evaluation Scale in an Undergraduate Student Population.” BMC Public Health 22(1):2410. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14769-3.
Puteri, Ika Apriati Widya, and Rizqi Syafrina. 2022. “Hubungan Antara Academic Self-Efficacy Dan Resiliensi Akademik Pada Mahasiswa Pendidikan Guru PAUD Di Masa Pandemi Covid-19.” Sistema: Jurnal Pendidikan 03(01):65–71.
Ramadianto, A., I. Kusumadewi, Feranindhya Agiananda, and N. Raharjanti. 2022. “Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Indonesian Medical Students: Association with Coping Strategy and Resilience.” BMC Psychiatry 22(1):1–11. doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-03745-1.
Riyadi, Muhammad Fajar, and Sri Nurhayati Selian. 2026. “Makna Stres Akademik Terhadap Kesehatan Mental Mahasiswa: Sebuah Studi Kualitatif.” Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Indonesia 3(2):328–38. doi: 10.62017/jppi.v3i2.6462.
Sabila, Dayu Ikrima Ilmi, Casmini Casmini, and Moh Khoerul Anwar. 2025. “Eksplorasi Makna Hidup Mahasiswa Rantau Yogyakarta.” INSIGHT: Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling 14(2):80–90. doi: 10.21009/INSIGHT.142.09.
Safitri, Nadhila, and Sumedi P. Nugraha. 2021. “Online Learning Readiness, Academic Resilience, and Subjective Well-Being of Junior High School Students during the COVID 19 Pandemic.” Journal of Educational, Health and Community Psychology 10(3):509–24. doi: 10.12928/jehcp.v10i3.21213.
Sahirah, Nasywa Putri, and Rina Oktaviana. 2025. “Hubungan Dukungan Sosial Dengan Resiliensi Akademik Pada Mahasiswa Perantauan Di Universitas Bina Darma Palembang.” Ranah Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development 8(1):236–2444. doi: 10.38035/rrj.v8i1.1830.
Said, Astri Ardiyanti, Agustin Rahmawati, and Dellawaty Supraba. 2021. “Hubungan Antara Dukungan Sosial Dengan Resiliensi Akademik Pada Mahasiswa Rantau Yang Sedang Mengerjakan Skripsi.” Jurnal Psikologi Tabularasa 16(1):32–44. doi: 10.26905/jpt.v16i1.7710.
Salsabila, Hanan, and Pratiwi Widyasari. 2021. “Mindfulness and Academic Resilience among Unprivileged College Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion.” HUMANITAS: Indonesian Psychological Journal 18(2):139–52. doi: 10.26555/humanitas.v18i2.19027.
Samudra, Eric Arizona, and A. Matulessy. 2021. “The Effect of Online Learning on Academic Stress on Students.” Journal Research of Social, Science, Economics, and Management 1(2):125–29. doi: 10.36418/jrssem.v1i2.7.
Sarfika, Rika, Bunga Permata Wenny, Mulyanti Roberto Muliantino, and Dwi Novrianda. 2023. “Exploring Predictors of Perceived Stress: A Cross-Sectional Study among Nursing Students during Their Clinical Practice.” Journal of Research in Nursing 28(6–7):469–82. doi: 10.1177/17449871231198770.
Setiawati, Yunias, Joni Wahyuhadi, Florentina Joestandari, Margarita M. Maramis, and Atika Atika. 2021. “Anxiety and Resilience of Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia.” Press Journal: Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 2021(14):1–8. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S276655.
Sugiyono. 2020. Metodologi Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif Dan R & D.
Tarigan, Mula, H. Silitonga, J. Purba, R. Nurhidayah, and K. Nilvarangkul. 2025. “Emotional Intelligence and Education-Related Stress among Baccalaureate Nursing Students in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study.” Belitung Nursing Journal 11(6):786–93. doi: 10.33546/bnj.4053.
Wibowo, Amin, and Widya Paramita. 2021. “Resilience and Turnover Intention: The Role of Mindful Leadership, Empathetic Leadership, and Self-Regulation.” Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies 29(6):325–41. doi: 10.1177/15480518211068735.
Wulandari, A., and Istiani. 2021. “The Effect of Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy on the Academic Resilience of Undergraduate Students in Jakarta.” in IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. Vol. 729. International Conference on Biospheric Harmony Advanced Research 2020.
Yuliawati, Livia, Afinnisa Rasyida, and Putri Ayu P. Wardhani. 2024. “Who I Am and Who I Want to Be: The Positive Effect of Self-Concept Clarity on Purpose, Life Satisfaction, and Personal Meaning among Chinese and Indonesian Emerging Adults.” Current Issues in Personality Psychology 13(1):50–57. doi: 10.5114/cipp/188359.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Yelsa Amanda, Reno Diqqi Alghzali, Regi Malsya, Dete Konggoro
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Islamic Counseling: Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling Islam agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
This work is licensed under a 