THE life of a student is challenging as they balance the weight of school responsibilities, family matters, and even their social life.
Additionally, education in the Philippines does not only require academic excellence but also time and investment. One of the most common problems in getting quality education in the country is funding.
Underprivileged students need to overcome school difficulties and financial limitations, hence the reason why many have chosen to be working students.
In the country, being a working student is quite common and expected, especially for those who were born into poverty. Getting a proper education motivates them; otherwise, they risk being stuck in the fates they were handed.
In a 2022 survey done by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), it was found that about 216,000 students, or 8% of the total college population in the country work while studying.
One of them is James Daniel Danio, a 22-year-old journalism student at Bulacan State University. He works as a call center agent while pursuing his degree.
Danio decided to work while studying to help his parents finance his studies.
“I know that the course I’ll be taking is expensive, and my parents will not be able to support my studies,” he said.
Despite the challenges of being a working student, Danio enjoys his experience because he was exposed to the corporate world and now understands how things work. Being able to buy the things he wants makes it even more rewarding.
He makes sure to have good communication with his professors and superiors at work and humbly asks them to give him an appropriate schedule, considering the time for school and for work.
Meanwhile, though some working students try to meet their financial needs, others just wish to avoid asking their parents for their necessities. This drives them to a working student life.
Eleonor Reyes or Eli, a junior college student from Bulacan State University, has been in different work positions since 2021.
“I want to buy some things for myself. Mostly, they fall under the wants category instead of needs,” she said. “I don’t want to ask my parents for those since my mom was sick at that time.”
Taking into consideration their delicate condition, she chose to study and work simultaneously.
Sometimes she multitasks at work and in school if she is in an online class set-up or finishes her work as soon as she gets home if she has face-to-face classes.
In today’s day and age, those who have jobs while attending school have the confidence to enhance their self-worth or pride. It takes exceptional courage and will to successfully manage or excel in two worlds at the same time.
Setting boundaries
For Reyes, setting boundaries between school and work is very important. She believes that if the two overlap, you will suffer and so will your body.
“For me, being a working student means you’re also putting your health on a pedestal,” she said.
Students need to meet their financial needs while keeping good marks in school. At the same time, the worker needs to perform well enough to keep the job.
The weight of stress in school or at work is in a way different. Sometimes, not being able to stick to the boundaries may lead to sacrificing one of them.
Danio said that setting boundaries is important; making sure to know when to compromise also matters.
Being a working student is a decision to make. There may be times when you must sacrifice one for another. Right timing and good communication are what it takes.
Not being able to set proper boundaries may lead to a lack of sleep, fatigue, or losing your ability to enjoy what you’re doing.
New world for job opportunities
The advent of the Internet has opened a lot of work opportunities in different industries. Some of the working students have jobs as a crew member in a fast-food chain or a cashier in a convenience store. Most of them found their jobs online.
Jobs advertised online also include work that can be done remotely such as virtual assistant, content creation for a certain social media page or website, and writing or editing projects.
Since more companies offer work-from-home or hybrid setups nowadays, it’s easier for students to look for jobs with a flexible schedule.
Juggling school and a career is a real challenge, so setting boundaries matters. A working student requires a strong mind and well-being in all aspects, be it physically or mentally.
With reports from Rose Cath Ogrimen
