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This study aims to examine the effectiveness of assertive communication techniques in cross-cultural counseling for reducing avoidance behavior among students experiencing interpersonal friendship conflicts. Cultural differences between counselors and clients may influence communication patterns, emotional expression, and conflict resolution processes during counseling sessions. Friendship conflicts among university students commonly arise from jealousy, misunderstanding, social comparison, and ineffective interpersonal communication. These conditions often encourage students to avoid direct interaction to prevent further conflict. This study employed an experimental method using a One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The participants were students who experienced friendship conflicts and demonstrated avoidance behavior tendencies. Data were collected through counseling individual. The intervention was delivered through counseling sessions that used assertive communication techniques and combined behavioral and humanistic approaches in a cross-cultural counseling setting. The findings revealed that assertive communication techniques were effective in reducing students’ avoidance behavior. After receiving the intervention, participants demonstrated greater confidence in expressing opinions, improved emotional regulation, increased openness in communication, and healthier interpersonal relationships. The study indicates that assertive communication in cross-cultural counseling can serve as an effective counseling strategy to help students manage interpersonal conflicts and improve social adjustment in higher education environments.

In the field of education, cheating remains a critical issue of academic dishonesty. This phenomenon does not merely affect students' grades but also obstructs the development of core character values, including integrity, responsibility, and independence in the pursuit of knowledge. This article aims to analyze the factors influencing cheating behavior and evaluate various forms of intervention from the perspective of early detection of problematic behavior. This study employs a literature review method, examining 20 relevant scientific articles published between 2021 and 2026. The findings reveal that cheating behavior is influenced by internal factors such as self-efficacy, self-control, self-confidence, religiosity, and self-esteem as well as external factors, including peer conformity, parental pressure, the learning environment, and evaluation systems. Effective interventions include group counseling services, classical guidance, modifications to evaluation systems, and the utilization of Artificial Intelligence-based technology to detect potential academic fraud. Consequently, efforts to prevent cheating behavior require a multidimensional approach involving students, teachers, parents, and school policies to cultivate an academic culture of integrity.

Social interaction is an important part of students' lives, especially in the school environment and socializing with peers. In the process of this interaction, verbal bullying behavior often appears which is often considered a form of joke or a natural thing. In fact, verbal bullying can have a quite serious psychological impact on students who experience it. This study aims to examine various forms of verbal bullying that occur in social interactions in students and analyze the psychological impact it causes. This study uses a literature review method by analyzing various scientific sources in the form of research journals, scientific articles, and relevant books published in the range of 2016–2026. The results of the study show that verbal bullying in students can appear in various forms, such as mockery of physical or ability, insults, the use of harsh words, yelling, and humiliation in front of others or the general public. Various studies have also shown that these behaviors are influenced by the factors of the friendship environment, lack of emotional control, and excessive joke culture among students. The psychological impact caused includes decreased self-confidence, the emergence of feelings of sadness, anxiety, stress, and a tendency to withdraw from the social environment. Therefore, attention from various parties, especially the school and family environment, is needed to prevent and reduce the occurrence of verbal bullying so that students' psychological development can take place in a healthy manner.

This study focused on addressing the problem of low self-confidence among seventh-grade students at SMP In Tana Toraja. The issue was identified through several behaviors, such as difficulty in voicing opinions, lack of courage to stand in front of the class, and minimal participation during the learning process. To address the identified issue, the study was designed to enhance students’ self-confidence through group guidance activities incorporating the sociodrama technique. This investigation adopted a Guidance and Counseling Action Research approach implemented across two consecutive cycles, each involving planning, action implementation, observation, and reflection. The participants consisted of 30 students, while data were collected through questionnaires and observation instruments. The results indicated that students’ self-confidence developed progressively over time. In the initial condition, most students were still classified in the low-confidence category, but improvement began to appear in cycle one and became more significant in cycle two. These changes were reflected in students’ increased confidence in performing, better communication skills, and stronger active participation in group activities. The sociodrama technique provides direct social interaction experiences that help students develop their self-confidence. Based on the results, the use of group counseling activities incorporating sociodrama emerges as a viable strategy for school counselors to support the development of students’ self-confidence.

This study aims to analyze the influence of teachers' teaching styles on the formation of student character in the school environment. The study focuses on comparing democratic-humanist and authoritarian teaching styles, and their implications for student character development. The research method used is a qualitative method with a literature review approach, through a systematic analysis of books, scientific articles, and previous research results relevant to the topic of teaching styles and character education. The results and discussion indicate that education is not only oriented towards academic achievement, but also on the formation of moral values, attitudes, and personality of students. Teachers have a strategic role as educators, mentors, and role models whose behavior and teaching styles greatly influence student character. Democratic and humanist teaching styles have been shown to encourage the growth of self-confidence, courage to express opinions, independence, empathy, and moral integrity in students. Conversely, authoritarian teaching styles tend to instill fear, reduce creativity, weaken self-confidence, and shape students' character under pressure. This study confirms that student character formation is strongly influenced by the quality of teacher-student interactions, the emotional atmosphere in the classroom, role models, and moral communication established by teachers. Therefore, a balance is needed in implementing a firm but humanistic teaching style in order to create a learning environment that is conducive to optimal character formation of students.

The development of digital technology and social media, particularly TikTok, has significantly influenced the learning behavior of elementary school students. This study aims to analyze the impact of TikTok use on the learning behavior of sixth-grade elementary school students through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach. Data were collected from Google Scholar following the PRISMA guidelines, resulting in 200 initial articles, which were then selected to obtain 12 articles relevant to the Indonesian context. The synthesis results show that TikTok has a dual impact. On the positive side, TikTok increases creativity, digital skills, self-confidence, interest in learning, and provides access to interesting and interactive educational content. However, excessive use without supervision has negative effects, such as decreased discipline, concentration, and motivation to learn, the emergence of academic procrastination, and changes in behavior and language that are inappropriate. These findings confirm that the influence of TikTok is greatly affected by parental supervision, the role of teachers, digital literacy, and student self-regulation. Therefore, it is necessary to use TikTok wisely, purposefully, and in an integrated manner in educational policies so that its benefits are optimized and its risks can be minimized.

This community service program aimed to strengthen national insight and soft skills among ADik scholarship students through a participatory and reflective mentoring approach. Many students come from underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions with diverse socio-cultural backgrounds, requiring contextual guidance to internalize national values and develop essential interpersonal competencies. The program combined interactive socialization, group discussions, and value reflection activities to encourage active participation and personal engagement. The method emphasized dialogic learning rather than one-way lectures, allowing students to relate national values to their lived experiences. The findings revealed noticeable behavioral changes, including increased confidence in expressing opinions, stronger participation in discussions, improved communication skills, and heightened awareness of ethical conduct and financial responsibility as scholarship recipients. The emergence of several students as informal local leaders during discussions indicated early signs of social transformation at the individual level. This program demonstrates that reflective and participatory mentoring can effectively foster character building, leadership, and contextual national awareness among university students. The implications suggest that similar approaches can be adopted in student development programs to promote sustainable character formation, especially for students from diverse and remote regions.

Adolescence is a crucial period in human development, characterized by biological, psychological, and social changes. At this stage, adolescents require proper understanding of reproductive health to prevent risky behaviors and to support the development of healthy and responsible attitudes. This community service activity aimed to improve students’ knowledge of reproductive health through socialization at State Vocational High School (SMKN) 1 Mempura, Siak Regency. The method used was descriptive qualitative with a focus on education through material delivery, interactive discussions, and question-and-answer sessions. The activity was conducted on August 14, 2025, at the SMKN 1 Mempura Hall, involving 39 students out of 50 targeted participants. Data were obtained through observation of students’ participation and documentation of the activity, and were then analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. The results showed that students were enthusiastic in attending the socialization and demonstrated improved understanding of reproductive health concepts, reproductive organ functions, personal hygiene, and the risks of unsafe sexual behaviors. The interactive discussion also revealed students’ willingness to ask questions and share perspectives, reflecting stronger attitudes and confidence in maintaining reproductive health. In conclusion, the socialization of reproductive health at SMKN 1 Mempura successfully enhanced students’ knowledge and awareness. Despite limitations in terms of time allocation and long-term evaluation, this activity provided tangible benefits. Future efforts are recommended to develop sustainable programs supported by additional learning media and closer collaboration with the school.

This study explores the implementation of interpersonal communication between tutors and students in speaking class activities at the Kind English Course by applying DeVito’s Interpersonal Communication Theory. Interpersonal communication plays a vital role in English language learning, especially in speaking classes where real-time interaction directly shapes students’ engagement and learning outcomes. Using a qualitative literature review method, this research examines how the five key components of interpersonal communication—openness, empathy, supportiveness, positiveness, and equality—are applied within instructional practices. The analysis reveals that tutors who demonstrate openness and empathy foster stronger emotional connections with students, which encourages them to speak more confidently. Supportive and positive communication behaviors further create a safe and motivating learning environment where students feel valued and understood. Additionally, the principle of equality helps reduce hierarchical barriers, enabling more collaborative and interactive learning dynamics. Overall, the findings indicate that the consistent application of interpersonal communication principles significantly enhances students’ participation, confidence, and speaking proficiency. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how communication quality influences language learning and underscores the importance of interpersonal competence among tutors in developing effective and engaging speaking class experiences.

This study aims to describe the application of role-playing techniques in group guidance to improve self-confidence in adolescents at Rantepao Christian High School. A descriptive qualitative approach was used with eight eleventh-grade students with low self-confidence, identified through initial observations and interviews. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation during eight group guidance sessions, and documentation such as student reflection journals. Data analysis followed the Miles and Huberman model, including data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results showed that role-playing techniques were effective in improving students' self-confidence, as evidenced by increased active participation, group speaking skills, and positive self-expression post-intervention. Students were initially hesitant and shy, but after role-playing in social scenarios such as presentations and peer interactions, they showed significant behavioral changes. Supporting factors included a supportive group atmosphere and positive feedback from counselors and peers. This study contributes to guidance and counseling practices in Christian schools, emphasizing the importance of experiential methods such as role-playing for adolescents in the North Toraja community. Practical implications are recommended for guidance and counseling teachers to integrate this technique into student self-development programs.

This study is grounded in the issue of low student discipline and learning motivation in elementary schools, which requires teachers to apply more effective and context-based instructional strategies. The purpose of this research is to describe how teachers utilize social learning theory to enhance students’ discipline and motivation, as well as to analyze the impact of these strategies on classroom behavior and student engagement. This research employed a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collected through observations, interviews, and documentation involving teachers and students. The findings show that teacher strategies integrating modeling, positive reinforcement, and collaborative learning successfully create a more conducive learning environment. The use of teacher and peer role models was found to increase compliance with classroom rules, while the provision of positive feedback encouraged students to participate more enthusiastically in learning activities. Moreover, socially interactive learning helped students develop confidence and active engagement. The implications of this study affirm that social learning theory can serve as a strong foundation for teachers to design strategies that promote positive behavior and intrinsic motivation, making it highly relevant for integration into daily classroom practice.

This community service program aims to improve the entrepreneurial skills of high school students through the understanding and application of SMART Goal Setting. The activities were carried out in the form of workshops, group discussions, and intensive mentoring for eleventh-grade students. Data were collected through observations, short interviews, participant reflection notes, and documentation of business plans. Analysis was conducted using descriptive qualitative methods, emphasizing the participants' experience patterns and behavioral changes after participating in the program. The results showed that students were better able to formulate specific, measurable, realistic, relevant, and time-bound business goals. In addition, participants reported increased self-confidence, regularity in developing business steps, and awareness of the importance of structured planning. These findings confirm the relevance of implementing SMART Goal Setting in high school entrepreneurship education as a practical strategy that can support the emergence of aspiring young entrepreneurs.

The primary objective of this research is to enhance English academic proficiency among seventh-grade pupils at UPT SMP Negeri 4 Takalar, specifically regarding "Introduction" subject matter, through the application of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) framework. This study was necessitated by observed deficiencies in student engagement and challenges in vocabulary acquisition, particularly concerning regular and irregular verbs, which had previously led to unsatisfactory academic performance. Utilizing a Classroom Action Research (CAR) design, the investigation was executed over two distinct cycles with a cohort of 24 students from Class VII B. Data acquisition involved the administration of performance assessments and systematic classroom observations. Subsequent analysis revealed a marked enhancement in learning achievements. During Cycle I, the mean score was recorded at 78.75, corresponding to a classical mastery rate of 37.5%. Following instructional refinements in Cycle II, the average score rose to 80.42, while the classical mastery rate increased to 50%. Moreover, observational evidence highlighted constructive behavioral shifts characterized by heightened engagement in collaborative discussions and improved oral communication confidence. Consequently, this study concludes that deploying the PBL model serves as an effective strategy for augmenting both English academic achievement and social interaction within the classroom environment.

The rapid development of digital technology has brought significant changes to the business landscape, transforming how products are marketed, services are delivered, and business relationships are built. In this context, students, as future members of the workforce and potential entrepreneurs, are required to possess strong digital literacy skills in order to effectively face challenges and seize emerging business opportunities. This study aims to analyze the importance of digital literacy in supporting students’ readiness to respond to future business trends. The research employed a descriptive approach using a literature review and observations of the entrepreneurship learning process in vocational schools. The findings indicate that digital literacy plays a crucial role in enhancing students’ creativity, adaptability, and ability to utilize digital platforms for online marketing, branding, and business communication. Furthermore, digital literacy helps students understand market dynamics, analyze consumer behavior, and adopt innovative business models that align with technological developments. Students with adequate digital literacy are better prepared to face rapid changes in the business environment and demonstrate higher confidence in applying technology to entrepreneurial activities. In conclusion, the integration of digital literacy into entrepreneurship education is essential to produce competitive, innovative, and adaptable graduates who are capable of thriving in the digital era and contributing to sustainable economic development.

This study aims to describe the implementation of multisensory strategies in improving the early reading skills and comprehension of dyslexic children in grade 2 of Bugel 2 Public Elementary School. The subject of the study was a student with dyslexia characteristics who had shown difficulties in phonological aspects, letter recognition, reading syllables, and reading comprehension. The method used was direct observation using an early reading test instrument, a comprehension test, and a learning behavior observation sheet. The results showed that the implementation of multisensory strategies (Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic-Tactile) through letter tracing activities, reading with the help of sounds, arranging letter cards, and reading together exercises was able to improve reading accuracy, strengthen letter-sound relationships, and foster students' self-confidence. Thus, multisensory strategies were proven effective in helping dyslexic children master early reading skills and comprehend simple texts. This study provides an important contribution to the development of more inclusive and effective teaching methods, especially for students with dyslexia, who require a more holistic and comprehensive approach to improve their literacy skills. As a suggestion, the implementation of this strategy can be expanded by involving more students and considering variations in the types of texts and teaching materials used.

Bullying remains a critical issue in elementary school environments and significantly affects students’ social-emotional development. The lack of confidence among students to report negative experiences often results in bullying cases remaining undetected. This study aims to describe the implementation of Padlet as a reflective digital tool to encourage students’ self-expression and to analyze students’ reflections as indicators of a safe and supportive learning climate. This research employed a descriptive qualitative approach involving 14 sixth-grade students at SD Negeri 3 Demulih. Data were collected through reflective Padlet posts, activity documentation, and thematic deductive analysis based on the Aggression Continuum Theory. The findings reveal three categories of social interaction: (1) high-risk behaviors related to dominance and indicators of bullying, (2) medium-risk interactions involving verbal teasing normalization and ambiguous conflicts, and (3) low-risk interactions indicating positive peer relations and social needs. Padlet proved effective as a safe digital space for students to express emotional experiences anonymously and facilitated early identification of potential bullying. These results highlight the importance of utilizing reflective digital platforms to foster preventive, inclusive, and psychologically secure classroom environments.

Social media has become an alternative space for emotional expression among university students, particularly as a medium for sharing personal problems or emotional distress. This study aims to examine the effect of social media use as a venting platform on the mental health of students at STAIN Mandailing Natal. A quantitative associative research design was employed, involving 25 fifth-semester students as respondents. Data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire measuring the intensity of social media venting behavior and mental health indicators, including stress, anxiety, mood, and self-confidence. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests, including correlation and simple linear regression. The findings indicate that social media use as a place for venting has a significant relationship with students’ mental health. Positive responses received through social media tend to improve emotional well-being, while negative responses may increase stress and anxiety levels. These findings suggest that social media can function both as a supportive and risky environment for students’ mental health, depending on how it is used. Therefore, students are encouraged to use social media wisely, and educational institutions are advised to provide mental health literacy and guidance related to healthy social media use.