Balancing Act: The Life of Student Workers

The past week proved to be an extraordinary challenge for students, often referred to as "hell
week." With deadlines looming and exams approaching, it felt as though navigating through a
modern-day version of Dante's Inferno, torn between studying and completing assignments. In
the midst of this chaos, a friend suggested unwinding at LB Square over drinks on a Friday night.
Although I rarely drink, I figured it was time to take a well-deserved break. Little did I know, this
evening would introduce me to the stories of Tan Tan and Yuri, two remarkable individuals who
were not just students but also working professionals serving at the establishment we visited.
Tan Tan, the manager, and Yuri, the table waiter, stood out for their friendly and outgoing
personalities. As the night progressed, our conversations delved deeper, uncovering their
achievements as students and as workers at the beer garden.

Challenges of Becoming a Working Student

The journey of being a student is already a formidable task, but for working students in the
Philippines, it becomes an even greater feat. According to the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), approximately 216,000 undergraduates are faced with the delicate balance of work and
study. Surprisingly, only half of these working students manage to obtain a college degree.
Some struggle to fully commit to their academic responsibilities, others face physical illnesses,
and financial constraints force some to give up their right to education. Charles Berosil, or "Tan
Tan" as his peers know him, echoes this sentiment when he candidly shares, " Sinusuportahan
ko lang kasi sarili ko sa pag-aaral."

In Region IV-A (CALABARZON), the employment rate of individuals aged 15 and over has risen,
as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority. With a significant proportion of the
population being students, developing effective time management skills becomes crucial,
especially for working students like John Eurick Bentir, also known as "Yuri", who pursued work
as a student driven by self-interest and the desire to gain practical experience. His ability to
seamlessly manage his 4:00 pm to 2:00 am work shift and his 7:00 am to 2:00 pm classes can be
attributed to his diligent use of time-blocking. Although, it should be noted that sleep is one of
the main struggles of Yuri, “Lack of sleep lang talaga… Like, ‘ung tulog mo ilang hours lang.” The
time-blocking technique allows him to plan his entire day meticulously, allocating time
effectively between his academic pursuits and work commitments. However, many working
students are unaware of the tasks they miss in school, resulting in lower grades. An
intervention method, supported by relevant literature, suggests incorporating a self-awareness
worksheet for students to complete in the event of incomplete assignments. Such an approach
promotes self-awareness and task completion.

The Impact of Working on Academic Performance

Research indicates a correlation between the number of hours worked per week and academic
performance. Reports suggest that students working up to 13 hours tend to experience more
benefits and perform well, whereas those working 15 hours or more tend to exhibit poorer
academic performance.

According to Barone (1993), it is crucial to inform boards of education about the negative
correlation between students' working hours and their academic success. This awareness can
prompt local studies and enable informed decision-making regarding restrictions on students'
work hours. Bedenbaugh and Garvey (1993) suggest a closer examination of young people's
jobs. They propose that schools should accommodate working students better. Williams (1995)
found that working students whose teachers provided adequate support experienced
significant improvements in their academic performance. Williams (1995) further recommends
that schools investigate this issue and offer assistance to help students reach their full
potential.

A study reveals that the poor academic performance of student workers stems from their
focused attention on work rather than their school performance. This implies that inadequate
time management is the primary cause of their struggle to balance work and school. Other
factors contributing to this inconsistency in task completion include shifting priorities
influenced by external factors, stress, and teachers' perceptions of the growing population of
working students.

Shifting Priorities
Studies have shown that students often prioritize their part-time jobs, neglecting their
academic responsibilities, as noted by Saks (1993). Furthermore, working students tend to
lower their individual academic expectations, leading to a decreased prioritization of
schoolwork. Greenberg and Steinberg (1986) observed a prevalent trend among working
students, where they alter their educational paths, opting for easier and less demanding
courses to accommodate their part-time jobs.

The Impact of Stress

Stress is recognized as a potential factor contributing to the negative consequences of part-
time jobs on students' academic performance, as highlighted by Greenberger and Steinberg
(1986). Kasl (1974) discovered a correlation between stress and professions involving repetitive
tasks and low expectations. Despite acknowledging the stress, students continue to pursue
these jobs due to the financial rewards they offer, as revealed by Greenberger and Steinberg
(1986). This acceptance of stress is associated with poorer academic performance and an
unexpected increase in marijuana and alcohol use. Bedenbaugh and Garvey (1993) suggest that
the tight schedule resulting from part-time employment may distort youths' perceptions of
future job experiences. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the impact of teachers' attitudes on
students' academic achievements, as suggested by existing literature.

Teachers' Attitudes
McNeil (1984) asserts that teachers have gradually adjusted their expectations to
accommodate the increasing population of working students. This adjustment involves
assigning reduced amounts of homework and setting lower academic standards for these
students. It is a response to the ongoing struggles faced by working students in meeting the
established academic benchmarks. Furthermore, Greenberger and Steinberg (1986) suggest
that students may intentionally select courses perceived as easier when choosing teachers to
ensure the maintenance of their grade point average (GPA). Yuri thinks that teachers should
offer flexibility in giving out the task to working students so that it could help them relieve
some of the difficulties that come with working as a student.

Tips from Yuri:

“[Plan your week] Hanggang saan ba kaya mo?”

Stay organized:
Maintaining organization is essential for working students to enhance productivity and
efficiency. By organizing your belongings, paperwork, and tasks, you can save time and reduce
stress. Clearing clutter from your workspace, establishing a systematic filing system, and
utilizing digital tools or applications to manage tasks and take notes will enable quick access to
what you need. With effective organization, you can stay focused, set priorities efficiently, and
complete tasks more swiftly, successfully balancing work and academic commitments.

Plan your day to save time:

In order to optimize their time, working students need to proactively plan their daily routines.
By creating a schedule or to-do list, they can identify priorities, set achievable goals, and
allocate time for specific tasks. This proactive approach enables them to maximize their time,
minimize distractions, and avoid unnecessary delays. Planning ahead allows for the anticipation
of potential challenges, proper resource allocation, and smoother workflow, resulting in
reduced stress and a healthier work-life balance that allows time for studying.

Learn to manage your finances:

Budgeting plays a vital role in ensuring the financial stability of working students. It is essential
to create a comprehensive plan that evaluates income, expenses, and financial objectives.
Keeping a record of expenditures, prioritizing expenses, and setting spending limits are crucial
steps in this process. By implementing these practices, working students can avoid
overspending, build up their savings, and make progress towards their financial goals.
Budgeting enables informed financial decision-making, allows for planning future expenses, and
provides a clear understanding of one's financial situation. Developing sound financial habits
not only supports short-term and long-term financial objectives but also lays a solid foundation
for future academic and professional pursuits.

Benefits according to Tan tan:

“Baka naman ‘ung onting gawain na lang akin”
Being a working student also brings positive aspects. Firstly, it facilitates the transition from the
classroom to the professional world, providing invaluable exposure to the realities of future
careers. Additionally, it instills a structured framework for students to engage in both family
and school-related activities. Tan Tan emphasizes how his work experience has honed his
communication skills. For instance, when assigned to bake and lacking the budget for the
required materials, he cleverly approached his teacher, saying, "Ma'am, I can't afford it... but
actually, I do have the budget." By baking pan de sal instead of cinnamon bread, he exemplified
the importance of interpersonal skills.