IMPACT OF BEING A WORKING STUDENT AT BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES-BULACAN CAMPUS

Abstract

This research focuses on the growing difficulty students face in achieving academic excellence while coping with financial challenges. This issue is particularly evident among Grade 12 students in the Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) strand at Bestlink College of the Philippines. Many of these learners are compelled to take on part-time or full-time jobs to meet financial needs or gain work experience. As a result, they often struggle to balance academic responsibilities with employment demands, which can significantly impact their academic performance. The study further reveals that financial insufficiency is a primary factor pushing students to work, making it increasingly difficult for them to manage their time effectively and maintain academic success during the 2024–2025 academic year. This study utilized purposive sampling to select 30 ABM learners as participants. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire aimed at gathering demographic details and examining the experiences of working students, particularly concerning their academic performance. The survey concentrated on four key areas: time management challenges, increased stress and fatigue, the sacrifice of social life, and declining academic performance. The sample consisted of 15 Grade 11 ABM students and 15 Grade 12 ABM students who actively participated in the research. The study results reveal that working ABM students generally agree that setting clear boundaries between work, study, and social time helps them maintain a consistent study routine, with a weighted mean of 3.93. They also agree that effective time management has helped reduce academic stress, indicated by a weighted mean of 4.13. Furthermore, respondents concur that enhancing their time management skills enables them to better cope with exhaustion, reflected in a weighted mean of 4.17. These findings underscore the importance of time management in improving the academic performance of working students. This study is particularly important for working students, especially those in Grade 12 ABM, as it examines how they manage their academic performance alongside work commitments. These students often face significant time constraints in balancing their dual roles, which may adversely affect their academic progress. Understanding their experiences is crucial for addressing the challenges that could impact their educational future. This study provides valuable insights and recommendations to support working students in overcoming these obstacles and achieving academic success.