International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue I, January 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186

The Untold Stories of Working Students: Failures, Successes, and Prospects

Glenda C. Magno, Eugenio S. Magno
Faculty of Bataan Peninsula State University, San Ramon, Dinalupihan, Bataan, Philippines

Abstract: Quality education is the prime dream of every student. However, for the poor and underprivileged students, the burden of acquiring a college degree required a lot of perseverance and hardship. Therefore, this study revealed the experiences of working students’ failures, successes, and prospects. It applied a phenomenological qualitative research design where the twenty (20) identified working students, their select classmates, and teachers served as the population of the study. The data gathered through an in-depth- one-on-one interview with the participants and analyzed with the use of the MAXQDA software. The study revealed the situation of working students is really tough and very stressful. They have difficulty complying with school requirements. The advantages of being a working student help them learn how to prioritize and manage their time and boost their self-confidence. The disadvantages include incurring school tardiness leading to poor academic performance. The strength of working students includes being optimistic and managing setting priorities in life. On the other hand, the weaknesses of having difficulty fixing conflicting schedules and mental exhaustion.

Keywords: Failures, Prospects, Successes, Winners amidst Circumstances, Working Students

I. INTRODUCTION

Quality education is the prime dream of every Filipino student. This access to education is possible because of the implementation of free tuition and miscellaneous fees in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). (Montemayor 2018).
However, despite of free tuition fee, according to Curambao (2015), not all parents have enough income to send and support their children in school especially in college. As a result, because of poverty, some students need to support themselves by becoming working students. Being a working student may be a responsibility of the many less fortunate but willing young adults and adult individuals. Besides, for the poor and underprivileged students, the burden of acquiring a college degree required a lot of perseverance and hardship. Everyday expenses not covered by the free tuition and miscellaneous fees remain their big problem. To cover their other needs including their responsibilities to their family, students look for part-time or full-time jobs.
It is a reality that over the years, working students experience a struggle to balance work and study. The financial crisis is still the primary reason why students take