Journaling as a Preventive Method for Handling Troubled Students in Schools

Journaling as a Preventive Method for Handling Troubled Students in Schools

Journaling can be a useful preventive method for handling troubled students in schools, as it can help detect issues early and provide personalized support to students. By encouraging students to journal regularly, teachers and school counsellors can gain insight into the student's thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and detect issues or concerns that the student may not have shared otherwise.

For example, students who are experiencing bullying, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues may not feel comfortable sharing their experiences with others. By journaling, however, they may be able to express their thoughts and feelings more freely, and provide clues to their struggles that can be used to identify and address underlying issues.

Furthermore, journaling can also help troubled students develop coping skills and resilience. By reflecting on their experiences and emotions, students can learn to identify triggers and develop strategies for managing their emotions and behaviours in healthy ways.

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However, it's important to note that journaling alone may not be enough to address all of the issues that troubled students face. Teachers and school counsellors should work collaboratively to provide additional support and resources as needed, such as therapy, counselling, or referrals to outside mental health professionals.

In summary, journaling can be an effective preventive method for handling troubled students in schools, as it can help detect issues early and provide personalized support to students. However, it should be used in conjunction with other forms of support and resources to ensure that students receive the comprehensive care they need to thrive in school and beyond.

1. What is journaling?

Journaling is the practice of writing students' thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a notebook or journal. It can be a therapeutic tool to help students process student emotions, gain insight into student behavior, and track student progress toward personal goals. Journaling can take many forms, including daily reflections, gratitude lists, goal setting, and creative writing. Some students also use journals to document their dreams, record memories, or explore their spirituality. There are many different approaches to journaling, and the process can be adapted to suit students' personal needs and preferences.

2. What is the generic structure of journaling? 

There is no one generic structure for journaling as it is a personal practice and can be adapted to individual needs and preferences. However, there are some common elements that many students include in their journal entries. These may include:

1. Dates: Begin by providing student entry dates to help students track student progress over time.
2. Thoughts and feelings: Write about what is on students' minds and how students feel. Students can use instructions or questions from the guidance and counseling teacher to guide students in writing, or just write freely without thinking about a particular topic.
3. Reflection: Take time to reflect on student experiences and insights. Consider what students have learned, what students are grateful for, and how students can apply what they have learned to their lives.
4. Goals and intentions: Use student journals to set goals and intentions for themselves, and track student progress over time.
5. Creativity: Some people use their journals as a creative outlet, including sketches, collages, or other forms of self-expression.
6. Daily activities: Documenting daily activities and achievements is also a standard structure for journaling. This can include daily to-do lists, appointments or events, or personal milestones.

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Ultimately, the structure of students' journaling practices depends on the students themselves and can be adapted to the changing needs and preferences of students from time to time.

3. What are the language features of journaling?

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The language features of journaling can vary depending on the individual's writing style and the purpose of their journaling practice. However, here are some common language features of journaling:

1.  First-person perspective: Journaling is typically written from the first-person point of view, using pronouns such as "I" and "me."

2.  Informal language: Journaling often involves informal language that reflects the writer's personal voice and tone. This can include slang, colloquialisms, and contractions.

3. Descriptive language: Journaling often involves the use of descriptive language to capture emotions, experiences, and sensory details. This can help the writer process their thoughts and feelings, and create a vivid picture of their experiences.

4.  Figurative language: Journaling may also include the use of figurative language such as metaphors, similes, and personification to convey deeper meanings and emotions.

5. Stream-of-consciousness writing: Some journaling involves stream-of-consciousness writing, where the writer allows their thoughts and feelings to flow freely onto the page without concern for grammar, punctuation, or coherence.

6.  Reflective language: Journaling often involves reflective language, where the writer reflects on their experiences, thoughts, and emotions, and considers how they relate to their personal growth and development.

7.  Personal language: Journaling is a personal and private practice, so the language used is often tailored to the individual's needs, preferences, and level of comfort with self-expression.

Overall, the language features of journaling can vary widely depending on the individual's writing style and the purpose of their journaling practice.

4. What is the purpose of the journal?

Journal goals can vary from person to person, as it is a personal practice that can be adapted to meet individual needs and goals. The following are some general purposes of journals:

1. Emotional processing: Journaling can be a therapeutic tool for processing emotions and working through difficult experiences. Writing about students' feelings by students themselves can help these students gain clarity and perspective, and identify patterns in students’ thoughts and behaviour.

2. Self-reflection: Keeping a journal can be a way to reflect on students' lives, values, and goals, and consider how students want to grow and develop as a person.

3. Creativity: Keeping a journal can be a creative space for exploring ideas, experimenting with writing styles, and expressing oneself through art and other forms of self-expression.

4. Memory retention: Keeping a journal can be a way to document your life experiences, thoughts, and feelings, creating personal notes that you can look back on from time to time.

5. Goal setting: Keeping a journal can be a tool for setting and tracking personal goals, and reflecting on student progress over time.

6. Mindfulness: Journaling can be a way of cultivating attention and awareness of the moment, as students focus on the act of writing and observe students' thoughts and feelings as they arise.

Ultimately, journaling goals are up to the individual and can be adapted to meet their unique needs and goals.

5. What is the benefit of journaling for the writer or the readers?

Journaling can have many benefits for both the writer and the readers, depending on the purpose and content of the journal. Here are some potential benefits:

Benefits for the Writer:

1. Emotional well-being: Journaling can help writers process their emotions and manage stress, leading to greater emotional well-being and resilience.

2. Self-awareness: By reflecting on their experiences and thoughts, writers can gain greater self-awareness and insight into their own behaviour and patterns of thinking.

3. Goal-setting and achievement: Journaling can help writers set and track personal goals, leading to a greater sense of achievement and motivation.

4. Creativity: Journaling can be a way for writers to explore their creativity and experiment with different forms of self-expression.

5. Memory-keeping: By documenting their experiences, writers can create personal records that can be cherished and looked back on over time.

Benefits for the Readers:

1. Greater empathy: Reading others' journals can lead to greater empathy and understanding of their experiences and perspectives.

2. Shared connection: Reading others' journals can create a sense of shared connection and community, as readers may relate to or identify with the writer's experiences.

3. Learning opportunities: Reading others' journals can provide insights into different perspectives, ways of thinking, and approaches to personal growth and development.

Overall, journaling can have many benefits for both writers and readers, from improved emotional well-being to greater self-awareness and connection with others.

6. The example of journaling

Here is an example of a journal entry:

Example 1

Tanggal: 17 Maret 2023 

"Hari ini adalah hari yang berat. Saya terbangun dengan perasaan cemas dan kewalahan, dan itu tidak pernah benar-benar hilang. Pekerjaan sibuk dan membuat stres, dan saya merasa seperti tidak dapat mengikuti semua yang perlu saya lakukan. Saya terus terganggu dan kehilangan fokus, yang membuat semuanya menjadi lebih lama dan terasa lebih berlebihan.

Saya beristirahat saat makan siang dan berjalan-jalan di luar, yang membantu saya sedikit menjernihkan pikiran. Tetapi begitu saya kembali ke meja saya, kecemasan dan kewalahan datang kembali.

Saya pikir sebagian dari masalahnya adalah saya memiliki terlalu banyak hal  dalam pekerjaan saya. Saya perlu memprioritaskan dan fokus pada tugas yang paling penting, dan melepaskan sisanya. Saya juga perlu mempraktikkan perawatan diri dan meluangkan waktu untuk hal-hal yang membantu saya rileks dan menyegarkan diri, seperti membaca, yoga, dan menghabiskan waktu bersama teman.

Secara keseluruhan, hari ini adalah pengingat bahwa saya perlu menjaga diri sendiri dan memperhatikan kebutuhan dan batasan saya sendiri. Tidak apa-apa untuk mengatakan tidak dan mundur selangkah ketika saya perlu. Saya akan membuat rencana untuk besok yang mencakup perawatan diri dan memprioritaskan tugas terpenting saya."

Example 2

Tanggal: 17 Maret 2023

"Hari ini benar-benar sulit. Saya diganggu oleh beberapa anak di sekolah lagi, dan saya merasa sangat tidak berdaya. Saya tidak mengerti mengapa mereka harus begitu jahat kepada saya. Sepertinya apa pun yang saya lakukan, mereka selalu menemukan sesuatu untuk diolok-olok. Saya hanya ingin diterima apa adanya.

Di rumah juga susah. Orang tua saya sedang mengalami perceraian, dan rasanya semuanya berantakan. Mereka berdebat sepanjang waktu, dan saya hanya berharap mereka bisa akur. Saya tahu mereka mengalami masa-masa sulit, tetapi itu benar-benar memengaruhi saya juga.

Menuliskan semua ini membantu saya memproses perasaan saya. Ini seperti beban berat telah terangkat dari pundakku. Saya tahu bahwa saya tidak dapat mengontrol apa yang dilakukan atau dikatakan orang lain, tetapi saya dapat mengontrol bagaimana saya bereaksi terhadapnya. Saya akan mencoba untuk bersikap baik kepada diri saya sendiri dan ingat bahwa saya layak untuk dicintai dan diterima, bahkan jika orang lain tidak melihatnya sekarang."

In this example, the student is using journaling as a way to process their emotions and work through the challenges they are facing. By reflecting on their experiences and feelings, the student is able to gain insight into their own thoughts and behaviors, and develop strategies for coping with their situation. Journaling can be a powerful tool for helping students navigate difficult times and build resilience.

 

7. When is the best time to journal?

The best time to write in a journal will depend on each individual's personal preference and schedule. Here are some potential times that can work well for journaling:

1. Morning: Some people prefer to start their day by writing in their journals, as it can help them clear their heads and set intentions for the day ahead.

2. Evening: Others may find it helpful to write in their journal before bed, as it can help them process their thoughts and emotions from the day and unwind before bed.

3. During breaks: Some people may find it helpful to take short breaks throughout the day to write in their journals, as this can help them reflect on their experiences and recharge before returning to work or other activities.

4. Whenever students have free time: Ultimately, the best time to journal is whenever the student has a few minutes free and feels inspired to reflect on their thoughts and experiences. Establishing a regular routine for journaling can help, but writing whenever students feel the urge to do so is fine too.

It's important to find a time that works for students and students' schedules and to make journaling a consistent practice that they can integrate into their daily routines.

8. If the journaling is done by the school, what is the best impact that will be experienced by the students, and the school itself?

If journaling is implemented as a school-wide activity, there can be several positive impacts on both students and the school itself. Here are some potential benefits:

Benefits for Students:

1. Improved self-awareness: Journaling can help students reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, leading to greater self-awareness and understanding of themselves.

2. Increased creativity: Journaling can provide a creative outlet for students to explore their ideas and express themselves in new ways.

3. Enhanced critical thinking: Through journaling, students can practice critical thinking skills by analysing and reflecting on their experiences and observations.

4. Better academic performance: Journaling can improve students' writing skills and can be used as a tool for self-reflection and goal-setting, leading to better academic performance.

5. Reduced stress and anxiety: By providing a space for students to process their emotions and thoughts, journaling can help reduce stress and anxiety and promote emotional well-being.

Benefits for the School:

1. Improved student engagement: Journaling can increase student engagement and motivation by providing an opportunity for personal reflection and self-expression.

2. Enhanced teacher-student relationships: Journaling can facilitate more meaningful interactions between teachers and students by providing a platform for sharing and discussing personal experiences.

3. Increased student achievement: By improving self-awareness, critical thinking, and goal-setting skills, journaling can help students achieve greater academic success.

4. Better school culture: Implementing journaling as a school-wide activity can create a shared experience and sense of community among students and teachers, improving the overall school culture.

Overall, implementing journaling as a school-wide activity can have many positive impacts on both students and the school itself, from improved academic performance to increased engagement and emotional well-being.

9. What are the advantages if parents, homeroom teachers, or school counselling teachers are allowed journal authors to read their journal entries?

Allowing parents, homeroom teachers, or school counselling teachers to read journal entries can have some advantages, but it's important to consider the potential risks and limitations as well. Here are some potential advantages:

1. Increased understanding: By reading journal entries, parents, homeroom teachers, or school counselling teachers can gain a better understanding of the student's thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This can help them provide more personalized support and guidance.

2. Early detection of issues: Journal entries may provide insight into issues or concerns that the student may not have shared otherwise. By detecting these issues early, parents, homeroom teachers, or school counselling teachers can intervene and provide support before the situation escalates.

3. Collaboration: By sharing journal entries, parents, homeroom teachers, or school counselling teachers can work collaboratively to provide the best possible support for the student.

4. Encouraging positive behaviour: If the journal entries are shared with the student's homeroom teacher or school counselling teacher, they may be able to provide positive reinforcement and encourage behaviours that are consistent with the student's goals and values.

However, there are also some risks and limitations to consider. Journaling is a private activity, and sharing journal entries without the student's consent can be a breach of trust and privacy. It's important to have clear guidelines and procedures in place to ensure that the student's privacy is protected and that the sharing of journal entries is done with the student's best interests in mind. Additionally, some students may not feel comfortable sharing their journal entries, and it's important to respect their wishes and provide alternative forms of support if needed.

10. What scientific evidence is in the form of research on journaling?

There is a growing body of research that supports the use of journaling as a tool for addressing emotional and behavioural problems in students. Here are some examples of scientific evidence that can be cited to support the use of journaling in schools:

1. A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that students who engaged in expressive writing about their traumatic experiences showed improvements in academic performance and reductions in disciplinary referrals, compared to students who did not engage in expressive writing.

2. A study published in the Journal of Adolescence found that journaling was associated with reductions in depressive symptoms and improvements in coping skills in adolescents.

3. A meta-analysis of studies published in the Journal of Counselling Psychology found that expressive writing was associated with significant improvements in psychological well-being and reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression.

4. A study published in the Journal of School Psychology found that journaling was associated with improvements in students' academic performance, behavioural self-regulation, and emotional self-awareness.

5. A study published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing found that journaling was a useful tool for helping adolescents cope with stress and improve their emotional well-being.

These studies and others suggest that journaling can be a useful tool for addressing emotional and behavioural problems in students. While more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of journaling and how best to implement it in schools, these findings provide compelling evidence that journaling can be an effective tool for promoting student well-being and success.

11. Important conclusion

Journaling is a form of self-expression that involves writing down one's thoughts, feelings, and experiences on paper or in a digital format. Through the act of journaling, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their emotions, and their behaviours. This process can lead to personal growth, self-reflection, and emotional regulation, among other benefits.

One of the main benefits of journaling is that it provides a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to process and explore their thoughts and feelings. By putting their experiences into words, individuals can gain a new perspective on their emotions and behaviours, which can help them to better understand themselves and their motivations.

Journaling can also help individuals to identify patterns and themes in their thoughts and behaviours, which can be useful in identifying areas for personal growth and development. For example, if an individual notice that they frequently write about feeling overwhelmed or stressed, they may use this information to make changes in their life to reduce their stress levels.

In addition to promoting self-awareness and personal growth, journaling can also have a positive impact on an individual's emotional regulation. Writing about one's feelings and experiences can be a cathartic and healing process, allowing individuals to process and release negative emotions in a healthy way. This can lead to a greater sense of emotional balance and well-being.

Research has also shown that journaling can have a positive impact on physical health. Studies have found that regular journaling can lead to a stronger immune system, improved sleep quality, and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Overall, journaling is a versatile tool that can benefit individuals in a variety of ways. By providing a space for self-expression, self-reflection, and emotional regulation, journaling can help individuals to better understand themselves and navigate the challenges of life with greater resilience and self-awareness.

Refences:

Cho, K. T., Chung, S. Y., & Kim, S. (2018). Effects of Guided Journal Writing on Academic Achievement, Stress, and Coping Strategies in Undergraduate Nursing Students. Journal of Nursing Education, 57(11), 663-669. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20181022-04

Conner, N. B., Messina, B. G., & Barrett, J. A. (2021). The Effects of Journaling on the Mental Health and Academic Performance of University Students: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of College Counseling, 24(2), 174-187. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocc.12193

Koerner, L. K., Farina, J., & Kondrat, D. C. (2019). Exploring the Impact of Journaling on Adolescents' Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction: A Mixed-Methods Study. Journal of Adolescence, 77, 74-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.09.007

Kostohryz, K. M., Hearon, B. V., & Cavanaugh, A. M. (2021). Using Journal Writing to Support the Emotional Needs of Students in Schools. Journal of Counseling & Development, 99(4), 390-400. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12357

Lampropoulou, E. G., Vassiliadou, M., & Andreou, E. (2020). Journaling as a Therapeutic Tool for Emotional Regulation in Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. International Journal of Emotional Education, 12(2), 73-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2021.11.008

Milner, E. L., Cavanagh, S. R., & Fouche, C. (2022). The Impact of a Journaling Intervention on Student Well-Being and Academic Achievement. Journal of School Psychology, 87, 56-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2021.11.008

Roush, C. J., Stichter, J. P., & Bartholomew, A. E. (2019). The Role of Journal Writing in Enhancing Social and Emotional Learning in Elementary Students. Journal of School Psychology, 72, 96-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2018.10.002

Shafiei, L., Peckham, A. D., & Zaidenstein, L. (2020). A Meta-Analysis of Writing Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Problems. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(9), 2397-2411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-020-01757-1

Steen, S. S., Skaalvik, E. M., & Skaalvik, S. (2020). Promoting Resilience through Journaling: A Qualitative Study of Student Reflections on Writing in School. Journal of Educational Psychology, 112(5), 874-888. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000393

Young, E. V., Karabenick, S. A., & Roehrig, A. D. (2019). The Impact of Online Journaling on Middle School Students' Writing, Social Support, and Emotions. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 56(7), 1121-1145. https://doi.org/10.1177/0735633117753873