CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY SELECTED SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ONLINE SELLERS OF GENERAL DE JESUS COLLEGE DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-2024

Abstract

The emergence and rising popularity of online selling among students became a defining feature of the pandemic era. This shift arose out of necessity, as limitations on physical interaction pushed students toward innovative ways of sustaining themselves financially. As the world adapted to remote education and work, students, driven by necessity and ingenuity, turned to online selling not only to cope with challenges but also to explore new opportunities in the digital marketplace. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the challenges encountered by student-online sellers at General De Jesus College. This study used a phenomenological research design to identify challenges affecting both the business activities and academic responsibilities of student-online sellers. The research was conducted during the School Year 2023–2024 at General De Jesus College in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. A total of thirteen (13) participants were included in the study. Semi-structured interviews and audio recordings were used as research instruments. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings showed that the majority of participants were aged 17 to 18 years old, were female, and were mostly enrolled in Grade 11. The study revealed that participants encountered challenges such as poor time management and business competition. The results also showed that participants managed these challenges through coping strategies, including reducing the use of social media platforms to avoid time-management conflicts and offering discounts to customers to increase sales. In conclusion, this phenomenological study highlighted the challenges faced by student-online sellers at General De Jesus College during the Academic Year 2023–2024. The findings provide valuable insights into the unique experiences and coping strategies of student entrepreneurs and offer implications for both academic support and practical interventions to assist student-online sellers in balancing their studies and business activities.