HOLDING ONTO A TIGHTROPE: THE EFFECTS OF ACADEMIC PRESSURE

TO THE PERFORMANCE AND WELL-BEING OF SELECTED GRADE 11 ABM

STUDENTS FROM CARLOS F. GONZALES HIGH SCHOOL (CFGHS)

A Research Proposal Presented to the Senior High School Department

Carlos F. Gonzales High School

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of Practical Research I

Azurin, Homer Andrei James

Baldivas, Arenz S.

Dagan, Mary Janine S.

Mata, Nathania Shayne F.

Mempin, Lyka Denise DG.

Padre-e, Sharllete Kaye Q.

Santos, Ehra A.
 CHAPTER 1

PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This section of the research will enumerate the review of related literature and

studies. It will provide additional information to readers and future researchers through

articles, previous studies, and book-based explanations that will serve as the foundation

of this research.

Related Literature

This part of the study discusses different concepts related to transferred students and their

experiences. It includes explanations about student transfer, experiences before and after

transferring, and the adjustment of students to a new school environment.

Brief Explanation of Transferred Students

Student Transfer refers to the action where a student move from one educational

institution to another. Student transfer could be in the mean of academic reasons,

financial reasons, and even due to personal or social problems. It is done to make
students' academic life more easier and accessible regardless of their reason for

transferring. Students may also transfer for lifestyle preferences. According to Wang

(2023) one of the biggest and most immediate struggles for transfer students is adjusting

to a new school setting, especially when moving from private to public schools.

Transferring schools could be a major problem for students. Some of them might get a

hard time socializing with other colleagues. Some might get culture shock and would

have a hard time recovering from a unfamiliar environment. This overall explains that

student transfer could affect them socially and give negative effects on their confirm to

study. similarly, Gray et al. (2022) found that these struggles often result in stress and

lower academic performance, as students must quickly adapt to new learning styles and

institutional expectations. Mendoza and Reyes (2020) further emphasize that the

transition is challenging due to differences in curriculum and teaching methods, which

may leave students feeling unprepared and overwhelmed by the sudden shift in academic

demands. Despite the students' having a hard time they tend to cope with the situation

and continue with their academic responsibilities even through out the struggle

Student Transferring Process

Transferring Process refers to the act of a student changing schools during the school year
or between academic years. It involves adjusting to a new academic environment,
routines, teachers, and peer groups, which can affect students’ academic performance,
social relationships, and overall adjustment to the new setting (EdWeek, 2016).
1. Environment Change – students adjust to new school rules, new teachers,

new classmates and new teaching style

2. Making New Friends – students meet classmates and try to build

friendships.
 3. School Rules – students follow new routines and school regulations.

4. Emotions – students feel nervous, stressed, or miss their old school.

5. Doing School Forms – students have to complete new forms or

documents.

6. Learning from Challenges – going through these changes helps students

handle problems and feel more confident.

Socializing with new students and teachers

New students need to interact with their classmates and teachers because this

social contact helps them adjust to their new educational setting. The process helps

people create bonds which enable them to work together while building a social network

that connects them with others. The educational process benefits from social interaction

because it helps students decrease stress levels while improving their overall health.

Students who develop relationships with their peers at an early stage will experience

academic success because their social connections enable them to exchange knowledge

while discovering new concepts at their school. According to Salvan (2025) A feeling of

acceptance and belonging is an absolute necessity for students if they are to be successful

in their academic studies and overall functioning.

1. Communication- The process of effective communication begins when

parties establish open communication channels and practice active listening

techniques to reach mutual understanding

2. Collaborating- Study groups and project work enable people to work together

while they achieve their common goals.

3. Social Support- People need social support networks to help them handle

their academic pressure and their social situations.

 4. Positive Attitude- People should treat new social encounters with helpfulness

and openness because it creates strong relationships which will remain with others during

their entire lives.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Transferred Students

Transferring to a new school can bring both positive and negative experiences for

students While some transferred students face challenges during adjustment, others

experience personal growth and improvement in their academic and social life.

Advantages of Being a Transferred Student

1. Fresh Start- It's a new chance to begin your school life again, join

different clubs and a positive environment.

2. Transfer journey problem solving- Students will become more confident

and flexible learners, when solving problems on their own.

3. Faster Transition Time- Students experience less culture shock and

quickly adapt to new academic and social environments.

4. Better Communication- You learn to relate with the new bunches

Disadvantages of Being a Transferred Student

1. Making friends difficult- By the time they are out, everyone already has

their own groups and it is depressing for most people to try to fit into a group

that’s not theirs so picking on someone new comes easy just adding more

loneliness.

2. Curriculum variances- The curriculum covered may be different at

various schools, or the way things are taught, the pace etc. Material may be
 repeated if it was already covered at your previous school or material that you

didn’t learn will be introduced to quickly which can cause gaps or repeats.

3. Accumulating Adjustment and Culture Shock- Getting used to a campus

other than the one you were used to, adjusting to new academic approaches, and

learning to fit into a new social environment is stressful and can depress initial

performance or cause homesickness.

Academic Pressure: Its effect to the Overall Well-Being of Students

Academic pressure also affects the physical, emotional, and mental state of

students who are under pressure. With pressure or stress building up, it may lead to

serious problems that students might encounter if not taken seriously. Academic pressure

can affect mental health. It can cause serious problems such as stress, depression, and

anxiety. This negative effect might lead to undesired consequences in well-being, leading

to decreased performance and generating student burnout (The Impact of Academic

Pressure on Students' Mental Health and Well-being, 2024). There are the factors that

everyone must consider:

RELATED STUDIES

Local

This review of related studies seeks to understand the experiences of transferred students’

well-being and performance. It shows how they adjust to the new school environment and

how to socialize with others and stay motivated. By reviewing these studies, we aim to

understand the challenges they faced and explore ways to support their adjustment and

success in the new school environment.

 According to Dy, Espiritu-Santo, Ferido, and Sanchez (2016), students experience

stress due to academic difficulties, heavy workload, and finding it hard to manage time.

These factors negatively impact their well-being and academic performance. This study

shows the importance of proper time management to help students manage stress and

succeed in school.

Similarly, according to Angeles (2017), this study shows how parental

involvement can have an impact to students’ academic pressure too. It shows how

parents’ high expectations, support, and pressure affects students’ academic performance

and well-being. It points out the importance of a healthy home environment and parental

guidance in helping students manage stress, stay motivated, and achieve success in their

studies.

In addition, according to Bernal et al. (2017), most students experience stress due

to their lifestyle and perceived academic pressure. This stress comes from their busy

schedules, piles of schoolwork, and personal responsibilities. As a result, students may

find it difficult to focus on their studies in school.

Moreover, a survey conducted in Central Luzon by Austria-Cruz (2019) showed

that one of the major reasons for students’ stress was teachers, deadlines, completion of

requirements, and peers who commit cheating in class. Interestingly, students coped with

stress and pressure through spirituality, which is one of the well-known traits of Filipinos.

This study emphasizes the need to provide various coping mechanisms for students with

different interests to help them maintain good well-being.

 Likewise, a study by Hukom and Madrigal (2020) in the Philippines examined

how academic stress and coping strategies affect high school students. They found that

most students experienced low to average stress levels. Still, there was no strong

connection between academic stress and how students overcome it. As advice, the study

suggests applying better stress management programs to help students handle academic

pressure properly.

Furthermore, a study from the Philippines by Tus (2020) shows that academic

performance depends on two factors: stress and motivation. This is somewhat important

for senior high school students as they prepare for college, where academic performance

plays an important role in securing a better future. The study used a descriptive-

correlational approach to examine students’ stress and motivation levels and their

relationship with academic performance.

Additionally, as stated by Bernabe (2023), their research aimed to determine the

relationship between academic stress, academic motivation, and academic performance

among senior high school students. The study found that students’ stress and motivation

levels were average and above average, respectively. Meanwhile, their academic

performance was mostly satisfactory and very satisfactory. However, no significant

relationship was found between stress, motivation, and students’ academic performance.

Similarly, according to the study of Advincula, Morales, and Morales (2023) in

San Ildefonso, Bulacan, students experience moderate academic stress but still achieve

very great academic performance. The study found that while academic motivation

strongly affects performance, academic stress does not.

 Ronquillo-Elvina and Quirap (2024) studied students in Tagoloan District,

Misamis Oriental, to see how motivation affects their grades. They found that students

were highly motivated, both from within and from outside factors. However, motivation

did not really impact their grades, except for curiosity and independent learning. This

means that while students are motivated, it may not always lead to better academic

performance.

Finally, a study conducted by Delanoche and Mamba (2024) shows that anxiety

and distress could negatively affect students’ academic performance. Stress can make it

harder for students to stay motivated, stay focused, and have a hard time managing their

time. This can lead to difficulties in exams, assignments, and in participating in classes.

The study shows the need for mental health support to help students handle academic

stress.

Foreign

This review of related studies presents different research related to the

experiences of transferred students. These studies focus on how transferring schools

affects students’ academic, social, and emotional experiences. The views and findings of

past researchers related to this topic are discussed in this section.

According to Salvan (2025) a fresh classroom might rattle how well a kid does,

who they sit beside at lunch, or whether mornings feel heavy. Across different countries,

moving between schools sometimes drags learning behind, slows down trust among

peers, and leaves emotions uneven.

 Second, Switching schools might open doors to learning that builds initiative,

sharp thinking, or teamwork. Still, money problems or uneven support between schools

can narrow choices - some kids wind up in cheaper places without strong courses

(Gabana & Madrigal, 2021).

Third, according to Merin (2018) starting fresh at a school abroad isn’t just about

classes—knowing how things run helps. Teachers who offer steady support make a

difference too. Belonging among classmates matters more than it sounds. When families

stay close to the process, outcomes shift quietly but surely. Connections that feel real

between learners and educators open doors often left shut. Each piece plays its part

without fanfare.

Fourth, Cepeda, Buelow, Jaggars and Rivera (2021) transferred students often

face challenges when adapting to a new school environment and this can be really

confusing for transferred students. and it may affects how well they do in school.

Fifth, Ching, Tam, Zhang, & Ng (2021) that transferred students have a time

making friends and fitting in with other students. This can make their time at the school

not very enjoyable.

And, According to Zuckerman and Lo (2021) emotional adjustment is an

important part because transferred students feel lonelliness, anxiety and many more but

emotional support from friends and teacher will help them succed.

Salvan (2025) adds that feeling a sense of belonging, having family involvement,

and receiving consistent support from teachers are vital for a successful adjustment.

These factors have a positive impact on transferred students’ engagement and well-being.
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