CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS

INTRODUCTION
 

Being an irregular student is quite different, unlike the regular student who would

just wait for their next teacher or has a fixed and organized schedule at school. Irregular

students have broken schedules, also they enter different classrooms, which means

different environment and different people in every class or subject. According to

Luminos (2009), children find it easy to adapt in diverse and different environments, but

exposing them in more than 3 different environments or situations in a day would cause

them anxiety and culture shock.

An article from Paner (2012), named “The Causes and Effects of Being an

Irregular Student”, he stated that irregular students are commonly misconcepted as

students who they call “repeaters” or those who failed their classes and were not able to

attend summer class. Other students tend to have the mindset that irregular students are

bad students which makes the irregular students uncomfortable and uninterested in

attending their classes. This is related to the study conducted by Streegan (2014), people

often think that there’s a possibility that a student could lose self-confidence in studying

and be discouraged to try again after failing and students who failed to pass a certain

requirement for a certain requirement were obliged to repeat taking the particular subject

which causes poor remarks on the student’s academic records and even worse, having an

impression of failing certain subject even the student didn’t because not all irregular

students became irregular because of failing. There are students who tend to lose interest

in studying and think of shifting to other courses or even quit studying but there are also

students who are still pursuing career and continues to study even after failing from their
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 2

former subjects. These are what we call in college, the “irregulars” or “irregular

students”.

Streegan (2011), also stated that a student who is unable to accomplish on taking

the subjects in sequence that are organized in the program curriculum due to different

reasons is an irregular student. Some people thinks that irregular students take their

studies for granted and think of it as a non-important matter but people don’t really know

the reasons behind their situations as irregular students. There are several factors

affecting college that’s why some become irregular students.

Another study from Bobiles (2004), in their study on the Emotional Intelligence in

Relation to Academic Performance of Selected Irregular Students of College of Arts and

Sciences at New Era University, many irregular students, 87% of the total population of

the irregular students in New Era Univversity, says that they are experiencing different

treatment from the other students and teachers.

According to Canare (2002), the motivation in every university has been

important in several years. Motivation influences the involvement of the students in

learning activities. Students' motivation is considered important in the teaching and

learning process that penetrates in all levels. These students give effort in studying as

well as their academic performance to accomplish the students’ plans in life. The

motivation of the students can affect the students learning, performance, and in their

learning environment. (Blackburn, 2012)

Being an irregular student is not an easy matter to deal with, says Watchera

(2015). There are many struggles that these students encounter in every day of their

college life. It was also stated that there are struggles of being an irregular student which
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 3

will be further discussed in this paper and highlighted that the term “irregular student” is

just a status in college or label but it isn’t as simple as what the people thinks. Irregular

students have different challenges and the strategies on coping up also varies as to how

these students deal with people and the environment. Some of them can easily adapt to

changes while some are having a hard time managing and adapting those changes.

In addition Alvarez(2016), said that irregular students are those who skip year

levels because of various types of reasons. Irregular students do not have permanent

section/block and schedule. These students are frequently the ones who are having many

friends because irregular students get to meet new classmates in every semester and every

class they attend to. These students are also managing their own time and if they are

lucky enough, these students can choose the schedule that can be handle best. But not all

irregular students can adopt with the changes they encounter and focuses only on passing

the subject.

Furthermore, according to Gotangogan (2014), irregular students are the students

that are having hard time coping with their academic problem the most. They experience

discrimination, not having an organized schedule of classes, have lesser number of

subjects and units, and other factors that make them different form being a regular

student. And these factors affect their academic performances which lead to grade results.

Also, irregular students are feeling ‘out of place’ inside their classes where in most of

their classmates are regular students that’s having group of peers.

CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 4

Moreover, George Herbert Mead in the Social Behaviorism Theory explained that

it is helpful to develop the individual by having social life and the experiences.

Mead(2003), said that the individual’s personality should have self-awareness and self-

image. The person who has more social experiences will be more knowledgeable and

developed holistically.

Additionally, the students experienced group activity in class. It is used to

enhance the cooperative learning of the students. This type of group activity aims to

increase the students’ comprehension and understanding of content as well as building

transferable skills by having a small group that the students should be working together to

combine and maximize their learning. In addition, cooperative learning is where the

students develop better performance produce by the entire group (Brame, 2014).

We came up with this study because in our own school, Baguio City National

High School has a lot of irregular students from the grade 11 and grade 12 senior high

school students, but there’s still no local study to respond this problem.

Therefore, this study was conducted to know what challenges and coping

mechanisms the irregular students have. Specifically by asking the following questions:

1.) What are the challenges encountered by irregular students? 2.) What are the coping

mechanisms of irregular students?

Through this research, both faculty members and irregular students will be

enlightened on the problems and consequences encountered in their academic life: First,

the result of this study would be of great help to the Baguio City High School-Senior

High Administration for it will provide data base in the information regarding on the

problems encountered by the irregular students in their academic life. Second, the result
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 5

would help the irregular students of Baguio City High School-Senior High by being

aware and avoid the problems that will be encountered in their academic subjects.
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 6

METODOLOGY

Research Design

This study used a qualitative research approach where the researchers analyze the

narrative data that were gathered from irregular students who agreed to be part of this

study. Phenomenology research design since the researchers aims to understand the

challenges encountered by irregular students of Baguio City High School-Senior High.

Sampling and Procedure

For this research, purposive-availability sampling was used to select the

respondents or participants to answer question for this research study, because even

though there are many irregular students to be respondents, not all of the irregular

students are available to be interviewed. The respondents of this study are the Senior

High School students of Baguio City High School. The researchers only considered

students who show willingness and approval to participate in this study. Fifteen samples

were gathered form the said High School and most of them are grade 12 students.

Semi-structured interview was used in this study. In this study the researchers

used individual and mediated approach. Almost all of the samples were interviewed

personally by the researchers while seven of those respondents were interviewed through

phone call only since the respondents and researchers had a hard time to meet the same

available schedules and just agreed to do the interview via phone due to conflicts in

schedules of both parties.

Analysis of Data

The researchers used semantic analysis in analyzing the data. The data were

collected through interviews where in the irregular students gave responses depending
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 7

situations they have. The researchers carefully read and reviewed the collected

documents or data from the interview to clarify and substantiate the statements of the

respondents. The researchers also reviewed the audio tape from different interviews and

transfer into word documents. The transcriptions of the audio records were translated in

the English language. After translating the data the researchers then categorized the

similar answers. Lastly the researcher gave theme to the grouped answers.
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 8

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

CONCLUSION

Based from the findings, the following conclusions were drawn:

1. The researchers concluded that irregular students tend to encounter many

challenges in their daily school life. There are many struggles that these students

encounter in every day of their high-school life like having too much requirement with

the same deadline, having a subject that was scheduled at the same time, and sacrificing

some of their time, lunch, to do their things.

2. Irregular students have different attitudes towards the situation they have. Some

easily adapt on the situation and cope with their challenges, saying that their coping

mechanism is effective, while some are not, saying that their coping mechanism is

somewhat lacking. Most of the respondents in this research stated that in order to adapt

on the changes in the environment, one must possess a good time management and must

learn how to ask for help. Almost all of the respondents are telling that they already adapt

with the situation as irregular student and deals with it in their own unique ways. Most

respondents are suggesting that it is best for an irregular student to always have a good

time management.

RECOMMENDATION

Base from the findings the following recommendations were drawn:

1.The researchers recommend that irregular students should learn to manage their

time properly in order for them to cope up with their different challenges. It is also highly
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 9

advised that the irregular students should learn how to ask for help when they are having

hard time coping with their challenges.

2.The researchers also recommend that the teachers should adjust their time and

teaching styles so they can help the irregular students in coping up with their challenges.

If the irregular students asked for the teachers help it is recommended that the teacher

should do everything they can with-in their power to help the student. It is also highly

appreciated if the teachers could understand and consider the situation of the irregular

student.

3.The researchers also recommend that the school’s administration should

organize the irregular students schedule as neatly and organized as possible. If the

schools administration can, the school could make an exclusive class for the irregular

students, so that they don’t need to go from classroom to classroom.

CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 10

APPENDIX

APPENDIX A

Mr. Rey D. Gapasin

HT- Assistant Secondary School Head
Baguio City National High School- Senior High

Sir,

Greetings! We are students of Grade 11 HUMMS-C and we are writing to request for
your permission to conduct a research study entitled “The Challenges Experienced by
Irregularstudents of Senior High School”. Our study aims to identify the challenges that
irregular students encounter and seek to find possible solutions in the struggles they
experience in the campus.
In this regard we would like to request for your approval for us to interview some Grade
11 students to complete our study. Your approval will be highly appreciated.

Thank you so much.

Respectfully,

Alalag, Ronchell Jabez Ticag, Teodolfo Ba-awa, Carmelin

Lingaling, Daryl Agyao, Divine Colalong, Amber

Noted by: Approved by:

Lorie Ann Estrada Rey D. Gapasin

Practical Research I Teacher HT- Assistant Secondary
School Head
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 11

APPENDIX B

Dear students,

Good day! We are students of Grade 11 HUMMS-C and we would like to conduct
a research about the challenges experienced by irregular students of Senior High School.
This research is a requirement and a partial fulfillment for our Practical Research I. We
seek for your cooperation and participation in an interview, rest assured that your answers
will be kept confidential.
Thank you for your time and effort.

Sincerely yours,

Alalag, Ronchell Ticag, Jeo Ba-awa, Carmelin

Lingaling, Daryl Agyao, Divine Colalong, Amber

Approved by:

Lorie Ann Estrada

Practical Research I Teacher

APPENDIX C

Interview Guide
1. What are the different challenges you encountered as an irregular student?

2. What are the different coping mechanism you are doing to cope from these

challenges ?
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 12

REFERENCES

Bobiles, A. (2004). Emotional intelligence in relation to academic performance of

selected irregular students of college of arts and sciences, New Era University.
http://raineaicerb.tripod.com/thesis.html, March 9, 2017
Paner, T.(2012). The causes and effects of being an irregular student in the college of
fine arts and design. http://cfad-stat-research.blogspot.com/2012/03/causes -and-
effects-of-being-irregular_2885.html?m=1, February 22, 2017

Steegan, C.J.(2011) The Struggles of Irregular Students.

https://oohsoorandom.wordpress.com/2015/06/06/the-struggles-of-irregular-
students/ .March 8,2017

Luminos, K. (2009). Irregular College Student: Trapped in an Unknown Situation.

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unknown-situation/ .April 10, 2017

Watchera, A. (2015) The Struggles of Irregular Students.

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Canare, C.(2002) Compilation of Lessons in Integrative Teaching Strategies. Reasons for

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Blackburn, W. (2012). Motivating Your Students to Succeed.

http://www.seenmagazine.us/Articles/Article-Detail/articleid/2597/motivating-
your-students-to-succeed. May 25, 2017

Gotangogan, J. (2014). Perceived Negative Effects of Being Irregular to the Academic

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College-Students-Of-Being/445055. May 21, 2017

Alvarez, D.(2016). Why Irregular Students Fail?

http://udel.edu/~dmalva/whyirregularstudentsfail.pdf .May 1,2017

Brame, C. (2014). Group work: Using Cooperative Learning Groups Effectively.

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Matt Roddan. The Determinants of Student Failure and Attrition in First Year Computing
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Mead, G.H. (2003) The Determinants of Student Social Behavior.

http://www.psy.gla.ac.uk/~steve/localed/roddanpsy.pdf .May 1,2017
CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY IRREGULAR STUDENTS 13

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