Title

JOURNEY OF ENDURANCE: THE MOTIVATION BEHIND CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS WHO PERSIST DESPITE ACADEMIC FAILURES

Author(s)

GUMERA, NELVIE C.

AGUINID, KENNYMHER T.

SULTAN, ABDUL BASIT H.

MAHUSAY, JOSHUA A.

Affiliation

MISAMIS UNIVERSITY

Degree Program

Bachelor of Science In Criminology

Contributor

ALVARICO, ANGELITA B. - ADVISER

ALLANIC, ELMIE A. - PANEL MEMBER

MALDEPEÑA, KRISTAL MAY V. - PANEL MEMBER

CUEVAS, JOSE JR. F. - CHAIRMAN

ORONG, MARKDY Y. - INSTRUCTOR

Year

2026

Abstract

Criminology students face numerous academic and personal challenges, including academic pressure, financial stress, and poor sleep patterns, which can significantly affect their performance and overall well-being. These stressors highlight the importance of understanding their motivations and the coping mechanisms they use to persist in their studies despite difficulties. Many students remain driven by strong career aspirations, a passion for justice, and personal goals, supported by family, peers, and institutional programs. However, existing research has largely overlooked the specific experiences of criminology students, particularly in the Philippine context, creating a gap in understanding their resilience and academic journey. This study aims to explore the academic challenges, resilience, and motivations of criminology students to provide insights that can help develop effective support systems and improve their academic success.This study examined the academic challenges, resilience, and motivational factors among criminology students experiencing academic difficulties. The study aimed to understand why students persist despite failures and how support systems influence their academic resilience. A qualitative case study design was employed to obtain in-depth descriptions of students’ lived experiences. The research was conducted in a higher education institution in Misamis Occidental, Philippines. Participants included ten criminology students who experienced academic failure but continued their studies, together with selected teachers and peers who provided supporting perspectives. Data were collected using a researcher-developed semistructured interview guide validated by panel experts. Collected responses were analysed using Yin’s six-step thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes, Difficulty Understanding Complex and Science-Related Subjects, Impact of Failing Grades, Career Aspirations and Professional Goals, Passion for Justice and Making a Positive Social Impact, Prioritization and Setting Boundaries, Building Resilience Through Adaptability, Coping, and Confidence, Family, Peer and Mentor-ship Support, Institutional Programs. Results revealed that students struggled primarily with complex science-related subjects, emotional stress, and time management challenges. Career aspirations, passion for justice, family encouragement, and institutional programs were identified as major motivational and resilience-building factors. Findings indicated that personal determination combined with social and academic support significantly influenced students’ persistence. The study concludes that resilience among criminology students is strengthened through adaptive coping, strong motivation, and supportive environments. It is recommended that institutions strengthen academic assistance, mentorship, counselling services, and skills training programs to enhance students’ academic success.

Keywords

academic resilience, criminology students, motivation, persistence, support systems