GROUP GUIDANCE PROGRAM TO IMPROVE STUDENTS COPING SCHOOL STRESS

The research was conducted based on preliminary studies in Madrasah Aliyah (MA) Persis 99 Ranca bango which shows quite high demands of the school that includes (1) the demands of academic material such as general and religious material; (2) the demands of students’ adaptation because most of students living in dormitories are come from different regions; (3) the occurence of high expectations from their parents after graduating MA; and (4) the absence of a special guidance program in helping students manage their school stress. The objective of the research is to form a group guidance program for MA students that will increase students’ ability to manage their school stress. The method used in this study was quasi experimental design with non-equivalent pretest and postest control group designs. Sampling refers to the purposive subject. Data collection used questionnaire of school stress levels and coping stress. Inferential statistical data analysis techniques used t test or t-test. The results is group guidance program is effective in improving school students' ability to manage stress. The study is recommended to be implemented in school as a group guidance and guidelines program to help students manage their school stress.