The Fisher Valley College, Inc.

#5 M. L.. Quezon Ave., Taguig 1636

Metro Manila, Philippines

WORKING WHILE STUDYING:

THE ACADEMIC CHALLENGES OF
WORKING SCHOLARS

Case Study

Submitted By:
Malazarte, Leah Mae Macaraeg, Sofia Mae R.
Campano, Daniella O. Aquinde, Krystal
Group 4
1st 1st Sen 2024-2025
ED105 TSCOL

Doc .Carolyn R. Valenton

Submitted To:

Date: December 16, 2024

 The Fisher Valley College, Inc.
#5 M. L.. Quezon Ave., Taguig 1636
Metro Manila, Philippines

Introduction

Nowadays, a lot of people, especially college students, have started hunting for work.
They have to balance the demands of college with the workforce's financial realities. These
working scholars, who often juggle full-time or part-time jobs with their academic pursuits,
confront a unique set of challenges that can significantly impact their academic performance
and overall well-being. Through an analysis of their experiences, this research seeks to clarify
the particular barriers they encounter and to pinpoint viable solutions for overcoming these
difficulties. Being a student who works might be difficult. The fact that not all working students
are able to manage their time is significant, according to the experts. Their struggle in this kind
of situation also become their strength to overcome to achieved their goals. The challenges of
the working scholar are indeed to be study in order to know the problem and solve it, so those
students who want to try being working scholar they will have an idea and they will know the
challenges they will face. They are worthy of emulation and are regarded as living superheroes
because they work hard to achieve the grades they desire while also working to earn a living
and ensure their survival. The need of these students to work more may be linked to parents’
limited means of providing financial support to their children, suggesting that working alongside
studies is linked to financial demands. This Research regards those academic outcomes,
working while studying significantly increase the elapsed time-to-degree and the academic
performance in terms of likelihood of obtaining a higher mark is only marginally affected by
carrying out working activities during university.

There are some cases in which lifestyle and education have been affected by being an
employed student. Part-time jobs can have a positive outcome in which includes one's
improvement in terms of time management skills and becoming more efficient. However, the
excessive workload can have a detrimental effect not only on student's performance
academically but also in psychological and physical. In this research, it primarily explores the
challenges of working scholars for the university to contribute support and provide techniques
on how the students can excel academically despite the difficulties and challenges of working
while studying. This study will further offer facts and ideas on the factors affecting the academic
challenges of working scholars. Moreover, this study will be beneficial not only for the working
scholars but also to the educational institutions accommodating working scholars.
 The Fisher Valley College, Inc.
#5 M. L.. Quezon Ave., Taguig 1636
Metro Manila, Philippines

Objective of the Study

1. Determine the academic challenges encountered by the working scholars in relation to
their psychological, financial, social, teacher’s factors, and classroom environment.

2. Scrutinize their Socio-demographic profile of working scholars in terms of: age; sex;
marital status; academic status; year level; work; and monthly
income.

3. Examine the factors, such as financial need, skill development, or job preparation, that
influence students' decisions to work while they are enrolled in school.

4. Investigate the strategies of Working scholar in terms of managing the demands of work
and academic responsibilities.
Issue of Existing Study (Problem, Cause, Solution)
The Working Scholars identified their challenges in Financial, social, psychological,
teachers’ factors, and classroom environment. They chose to work to support their
underprivileged family and to sustain their essential living and scholastic expenses for their
dreams to have a better life. In terms of financial encounters, it is confirmed that they have
difficulty budgeting their monthly income and it is common problem to for working scholars.
Their decision to work does affect their academic it indeed challenges them and they still face
this kind of hardship.
Problem
Working scholars experience different challenges while studying. The number one challenge
they may face is time management. Allocating time for work and study is a very hard task to
fulfill. Being stressed is also a challenge they might face due to exhaustion of the mind and not
having enough time to rest and sleep due to school requirements and work issues. A problem
faced by working students:
•Focusing on class and budgeting time to review all the piled-up lessons
•Maintain the accuracy and promptness of a working student's work
•Lack of time to socialize with family and friends
 The Fisher Valley College, Inc.
#5 M. L.. Quezon Ave., Taguig 1636
Metro Manila, Philippines

Cause
Working scholars are fighters who continue striving for their scholastic visions to earn a degree
despite the challenges of both work and studies. The primary cause of working students is
financial problems, which are attributed to school-related expenses (requirements). Possible
causes of working students:
•support their underprivileged families
•sustain their scholastic expenses
•lack of financial support from their families due to unemployment
Solution
 prioritizing and organizing your time is crucial. Make a list of your tasks and
responsibilities for each day or week, and set achievable goals for what you want to
accomplish. Use a planner or calendar to keep track of your schedule, deadlines, and
commitments. This will help you stay on top of your workload and avoid procrastination.
 Give time to check on their family and friends
 Finding a job that is flexible and accommodates your school schedule can be a game-
changer for working students. Look for part-time jobs or internships that allow you to
work during hours that do not conflict with your classes. You can also explore work-
from-home options or jobs that offer flexible schedules. Discuss your availability and
schedule with your employer upfront so that they can accommodate your needs.
 creating a structured study schedule with dedicated review time
 Make sure to take a day off. Being BURNT OUT is a real thing, save yourself from it by
simply adding in some ME time to your schedule. Take care of your health.
 It is important to prioritize self-care and make time for activities that reduce stress and
promote well-being. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, exercise, and proper
nutrition. Take breaks when you need them and make time for hobbies and social
activities.
 Try to avoid distractions. Utilize the time you have in the most efficient ways possible by
putting away ALL electronics when studying.
 Learn how to manage stress. Unfortunately even if you follow all the tips above, you're
bound to encounter stress. Some like to meditate, some like to run - find out which
methods best work for YOU.
 The Fisher Valley College, Inc.
#5 M. L.. Quezon Ave., Taguig 1636
Metro Manila, Philippines

Conclusion
Most of the working students, if not all, are single and commonly financially
disadvantaged. Their usual work is housekeeping earning exact income for themselves and
Family. The working students enrolled in the university are not just working for themselves, but
they also support their families .The Study revealed that the primary academic challenge is
Financial, Financial problems are the core academic challenge as a common difficulty in their
daily lives. The study also finds that the working student having the difficulty budgeting their
monthly income in response to their daily needs and academic expenses. The result on socio-
economic profile which clearly denotes that this doesn’t suffice the needs and wants. ,
psychological support is also considered as an academic challenge in a way that working
students’ immediate families lack financial and moral support to the point that they are
externally discouraged and exhausted. The study show that the working student play a crucial
role in their lives to provide their needs and to finish their education so they can finally provide
the exact amount for themselves including their family. The Working scholar need the support
from their respective university in order to overcome the challenges and to thrive and ensuring
their future.

Group Comment about the existing Study

The working Scholars may face challenges in balancing their academic and work
responsibilities but this is not the reason for them to stop reaching their goals. Even though
they face difficulties it does not mean that they will neglect it.
The reason of this Case study is to make awareness to those people who don’t understand
their situation. And to know how important what they are doing for their future. We knew that
is study also can help the Working scholar’s employer to add wages to their employee that are
still studying. It also helps those students who’s looking for solutions for their research, study or
personal problem. It somehow helps us to understand the situation of some co-student that are
also working while studying. It also makes people aware to those persons they mistreated
because of group project or schools works that they didn’t submit on time. This Study can also
encourage those working scholars to discipline themselves and manage their time even though
it is hard to adjust but just to make their dreams come true we know they will overcome this
kind of situation. This is the reason for them to continue pursuing their study and work hard for
their future.
 The Fisher Valley College, Inc.
#5 M. L.. Quezon Ave., Taguig 1636
Metro Manila, Philippines

Evaluation
This Case Study explains the Challenges of the Working Scholar and the difficulties they
face. It highlights how their academic progress while working and overall well-being. This could
be the eye opener to all people that could misunderstand their situation. The Educators should
help their students when it comes to their academic and show that they understand the
working scholars whose thriving for their future. The family who failed to achieved the full
support for them could finally help them by showing their care and affection to those students
that is working for their education. The study makes it clear that the working scholar are not
just working for themselves but also providing for their family. Their hard work can lead them to
success and their future ma

Recommendation

Negotiate Flexible Work Arrangements, by discussing flexible work hours or remote work
options with employers to accommodate academic commitments.
Prioritize Workload, focusing on essential tasks and delegate or postpone less urgent work.
Implementing effective time management strategies, stress management techniques, and
seeking academic support, working scholars can successfully navigate these challenges and
achieve academic success.
Effective communication with professors is essential for working students to successfully
balance academic and job responsibilities. By keeping professors informed, working students
can reduce stress, build trust, and navigate their dual roles more effectively, enhancing their
overall academic and personal growth.
Consider incorporating a longitudinal study to track the long-term impacts of working while
studying on academic and career outcomes.
Explore the intersectionality of factors such as gender, race, and socioeconomic status in
shaping the experiences of working students.
Collaborate with universities and colleges to gain access to relevant data and resources.
 The Fisher Valley College, Inc.
#5 M. L.. Quezon Ave., Taguig 1636
Metro Manila, Philippines

References:
Castor V. Balacuit, Jr.
Program Coordinator, Physical Education
Northeastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU)
[email protected]
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
361627711_WORKING_WHILE_STUDYING_THE_ACADEMIC_CHALLENGES_OF_WORKING_SCH
OLARS

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challenges-faced-working-students#:~:text=Juggling%20Work%20and%20School%3A
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%20Yourself%20

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