Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Background of the Study

College students balancing academic responsibilities and part time employment has

become a challenge for many college students, in Tarlac City it is often to be seen, wherein many

college students are pressured because of cost of education and increasing of need has lead

college students to seek for part-time job while pursuing their studies. According to Robotham,

D. (2012), engaging in part-time work while studying may lead to possible consequences. Many

students work while attending college (Bennet, McCarty & Carter, 2015; Darolia, 2014). This

work can affect their academic success and overall experiences in college. Factors driving

students to seek employment during their studies include increasing tuition costs, a reject in

scholarships, and limited family financial means.

One of the main reasons students work while enrolled in school is to help finance their

college expenses. However, financial aid often does not fully cover all associated costs

(Mathuews, 2018). Typically, institutional tuition discounts account for only about 12 to 20

percent of the total tuition and fees. With the rise in tuition costs, some students find it difficult

to pay using their savings from past jobs (Carnavale et al., 2015).
 Despite the high costs of education, many students continue to pursue their degrees to

enhance their quality of life through learning (Pusser, 2010). Despite facing financial difficulties,

Filipino students manage to support themselves through employment. Based on a study carried

out by Endsleigh (2015), maintaining a balance between social activities, family commitments,

academic responsibilities, and a job can be quite challenging for a student who works. Allowing

students to have at least one night free each week and providing them with techniques to manage

the stress associated with working while studying will significantly lower their stress levels

(Mitchell, 2016). By exploring the lived experiences of our college students in Tarlac City, we

can give others insight on how our college students situation, manage to balance their studies and

part time work. The strategies they use for their daily life to maintain stability, and how did they

manage properly their time, by sharing their experiences, they can inspire others that if they are

able to do it others can too.

This portion is the compilation of important studies and literature that will help the paper

to be strengthened.

Foreign

Balancing Part-Time and Academic Responsibility

According to (Frigillano et al. 2015) they uttered that working student had good time

management in balancing their academic responsibilities along with their part-time jobs.

Moreover, balancing part time and academic responsibilities can result in enhanced academic

performance (Scott-Clayton and Minaya 2015). However, (Stijn Baert 2018) stated that

depending on how students handle their obligations, working while studying may actually be

advantageous rather than detrimental. It emphasizes that whether the results are favorable or

unfavorable depends greatly on whether students prioritize their studies or careers. Student

employment, according to the related study of (Shannon Webster, 2022), it is the practice of

working a full-time or part-time job while enrolling full-time in school. It is a good substitute

that helps them achieve their main objective of finding steady employment that allows them to

pursue their interests once they have finished their studies.

According to MacCann & Roberts (2010), they suggest that students with high levels of

conscientiousness often employ more time management strategies, especially those focused on

deadline adherence, organization, and planning. Nevertheless, we contend that time management

is separate from conscientiousness for both conceptual and empirical reasons. From a conceptual

standpoint, time management comprises a collection of habits or skills that can be developed

through enhanced knowledge, training, or intentional practice.

In addition, based on the study of Raquinto et al. (2012), they stated that these difficulties

were significantly lessened by support structures including flexible work schedules and

specialized learning materials. Above all, in order for college students to successfully manage

their work and their academics, they must avoid wasting time. In addition to learning effective

time management techniques, students need also cultivate excellent organizational and time

management abilities (Marie Anderson 2013). Kleinschmidt (2013) asserts that the stress of

having little time for studying can lead to anxiety, especially for students who are exhausted

from work and don’t get enough sleep after a long night shift, particularly when a term paper due

to following day. As a result, this circumstance may make college students feel over burned. In

another words, students feel pressure to fulfill deadlines while juggling their academics and work

obligations. Furthermore, the less sleep a working student gets, the more probable is it that their

stress level will rise as they try to balance the many things they have to do in a very busy

schedule.
 Given these challenges, one of the key factors is effectively balancing time between work

and studies. Moreover, the importance of prioritizing education should never be undefined for

any reason as a student. Ineffective time management is a leading contributor to the stress-related

challenges faced by students according to (Dipboye, 2014). For instance, a typical student

without part-time job often feels that they don’t have enough time to complete their assignments.

Therefore, these challenges require input from various perspectives, including that of the

students. Proper time management is crucial to prevent negative consequences in this area.

In conclusion, this review highlights that we must develop strategies to balance our time

and prioritize our responsibilities in both academics and part-time jobs.

Challenges of College Students

Kavarana (2013), he stated that there was a rise of college students who are working part

time due to their financial problems leading them to get more tuition costs. In addition, these

Working Student (2016) identifies internet jobs, paid corporate internships, fast-food positions,

and roles within the school. Filipino students encounter challenges as they need to meet

performance expectations at their jobs to retain their positions while simultaneously maintaining

their academic performance to prevent failing grades. Furthermore, in (Zhang et al. 2019),

explore the needs of college students to get academic assistance that considers the unique

challenges of a student.
 In addition, based on (Thi Nga, 2020) for some students, having a job is not just a choice

but an obligation or necessity. Therefore, (Shahida Ab et al., 2021) stated that it is crucial for

people to understand their boundaries and, when required, seek assistance or make the required

adjustments. Educational institutions can help people achieve this balance by providing

resources, flexible scheduling, and a positive work atmosphere that encourages success in both

academic and professional endeavors.

Local

Balancing Part-Time and Academic Responsibilities

To begin this study, wherein, balancing part time and academic responsibilities is

difficult, however it is important to foster strong study habits to manage their time and academic

responsibilities (Cadosales, 2013). Therefore, According to Sprung et al., (2020) they revealed

that maintaining a proper work-life balance is important for their mental health. This is

particularly important for working college students who balance their academic responsibilities

with part-time jobs.

In the related study of (Ramos et al., 2021), it is important to create a diverse and

maintain a proper mental health in order to balance your time. By addressing these problems

with targeted interventions and helpful programs, working students in Philippine higher

education might improve their general well-being and academic achievement. Moreover,

(Butarbutar et al., 2022) stated that giving responsibilities to college students can give time on

them so that they can reduce stress. Additionally, those students who practice self-discipline can
control their thoughts and behavior, leading to a desired outcomes on work or school (Williams,

2022).

Prioritizing Responsibilities of College Students

Balancing school, work, family, and social life can be tough, especially for students who

also have jobs. A study by Endsleigh (2015) found that handling all these responsibilities often

causes stress. A related study by (Mitchell, 2016) that giving students at least one free night a

week and teaching them how to manage stress can be very helpful.

Despite the difficulties, working while studying also has benefits. It helps students

develop important skills like time management, problem-solving, and resilience, which are

useful in their future careers. Abenoja et al. (2019) note that working students learn the value of

hard work and money, as well as discipline and commitment—qualities that help them succeed

both in school and at work. Similarly, Abenoja et al. (2019) found that many Filipino students

work while studying to improve their lives, gain experience, and prepare for future careers.

Financial needs are a major reason they work, motivating them to do well both in school and at

their jobs. Although balancing work and studies is challenging, many students manage to support

themselves through part-time jobs.

Challenges of College Students

According to Freeman (2016), he highlighted that being a working student is not easy

because they don't really gain that much sympathy making their work ordinary. On the other
hand, college students are seriously facing a challenge which is they are spending less time with

their family and friends, working students can also experience pressure on academics due to lack

of sleep and deadlines on school activities (Maqualing, 2018).

Moreover, college students are facing challenges that can affect their well-being,

regarding with their friends, families and such (Abstract Proceedings International Scholars

Conference, 2019). In a related study, Ceneciero (2023) stated that working students need

priority in terms of guidelines on education because they are already at a disadvantage regarding

with their time.

In summary, this literature review highlights the challenges faced by college students.

Understanding these challenges can foster a diverse community and create strategies for college

students who are having a hard time in their academics.

Statement of the Purpose

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the lived experiences of college

students in balancing their time and academic responsibilities at Tarlac City. This study seeks to

answer the following questions:

1. What are the lived experiences of college students in Tarlac City who balance part-

time jobs and academic responsibilities?

2. What are the challenges of college students who balance part-time jobs and academic

responsibilities?
 3. What coping strategies do college students in Tarlac City employ in balancing their

part-time jobs and academic responsibilities?

4. How do college students prioritize their responsibilities while managing part-time jobs

and academic responsibilities?

5. What is the implication of this study to Golden Olympus Colleges?

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework guided the flow of this study, focusing on two main

perspectives. Firstly, it explores the Lived Experiences of College Students Balancing Part-Time

Jobs and Academic Responsibilities in Tarlac City, learning about their challenges in managing

work and studies. Secondly, it illustrates the techniques used by researchers to conduct this

study:

Kinds of
Lived Interview:
Experiences of Semi-
College Structured Exploration of
Students Interview the lived Implications of
Balancing Part- experiences of the Study
Time Jobs and Types of college students
Academic Analysis Used:
Responsibilities Thematic
Analysis

Figure 1: Paradigm of
This framework aims to understand the goal comprehensively using the Input, Process,
the study
and Output (IPO) model. The first step, known as input, wherein the study title, “Exploring the

Lived Experiences of College Students Balancing Part-Time Jobs and Academic Responsibilities
in Tarlac City,” acts as the beginning point. The Process illustrates the researcher’s goal,

understanding what the researcher's goals in this study. Lastly, output demonstrates the

anticipated outcome of this study.

Scope and Delimitations

This study explored the lived experiences of college students in Tarlac City who balance

part-time jobs with their academic responsibilities. It focused on the lived experiences of a

college students such as challenges they face, how they prioritize and manage their

responsibilities, and the strategies they use to cope while working. The study also looked into

how they manage being student and part-time job workers.

The researchers include college students who are currently working part-time and does

not cover those with full-time jobs. It highlighted their reasons for working, how they manage

their time, and the difficulties they encounter. To ensure a broad understanding, students of all

genders including female, male, and LGBTQ+ individuals are included. Participants are chosen

for their sense of responsibility, independence, and ability to manage both school and work. The

study focused on college students engaged in part-time employment, excluding those working

full-time. To maintain a manageable and focused sample size, the researchers selected 15

respondents from each three different colleges.

This report is important since it provided insights into how college students balance their

part-time jobs and their academic responsibilities in Tarlac City, providing information that can

offer educational strategies that can definitely benefit the following:

Higher Education Institution. The study can help them to implement policies regarding

with the time management, improve student support services and help these college students to

get a diverse environment in their university.

Employers. This research can help them understand the needs of their employees in

terms of studies so that they can adjust their time or working hours.

College Students. This investigation can help students into how they can balance their

part time jobs and academic responsibilities.

Future Researchers. This study can give knowledge to future researchers for their future

study so that they can have information about the college students who are working part time

jobs and how can they balance it with their academic responsibilities.

Definition of terms

In this division, researchers provide a deeper meaning of the key terms all over the study.

Academic Performance. According to Bonifacio (2024), a part-time job is a type of

work where an employee works fewer hours a week than a full-time employee. Part-time

employees are called part-timers and usually work between 20-30 hours per week. In this study,

it is the overall progress of college students like their academic standings.

academic responsibility in higher education involves doing academic duties with integrity,

commitment, and following to institutional policies. In this study, it is the duties and obligations

students have in their academic life, such as attending lectures, completing assignments,

participating in exams, and engaging in group work or other educational activities.

Coping Mechanism. According to GoodTherapy (n.d.) coping mechanisms help

individuals handle stressful circumstances by adapting through problem-solving, emotional

regulation, and seeking support. In this study, it refers to strategies that college students use to

manage their stress and their academic responsibilities.

Financial Motivations. According to Nasrudin (2024), financial motivation involves

money or money-related things to encourage individuals to perform better. In this study, this

term is identified as an inspiration of college students to wrap their tuition fees and family

support.

Inclusive Approach. According to Davis (2019), well-being includes having good

mental health, high life satisfaction, a sense of meaning or purpose, and the ability to manage

stress. In this study, it refers to ensuring that the study includes respondents from diverse gender

identities, including female, male, and transgender individuals.

Input – Process – Outcome (IPO) Model. In this study, it refers to a model that helps

explain the structure of the study. This model that was used by Landy & Corte (2013), wherein,

"Input" refers to the initial stage, which includes the research topic and objectives. "Process"

involves the methods used for data collection and analysis, while "Outcome" refers to the

expected results or findings of the research

means that each individual’s needs are considered, and all learners are encouraged to participate

and succeed together. It recognizes that all children can learn, and that each child has unique

characteristics, interests, abilities, and learning needs. This term refers to the personal, subjective

experiences of students balancing academic responsibilities and part-time jobs. In this study, it

includes their challenges, coping strategies, and personal reflections on managing both roles.

Part-Time Jobs. It refers to a job that is used to cover tuition fees and their family needs

by Robotham (2012). In this study, it refers to a job that they are doing for the support on their

academics.
 CHAPTER II

METHODS

This chapter presents the qualitative design and methodology, research site, selection

criteria and participants, data collection, data analysis, the role of the researcher, methods of

validation, and ethical considerations used in the study.

Qualitative Design and Methodology

This study used a phenomenological design to conduct this study which illustrates on

how college students in Tarlac City manage their time while doing part time jobs. A study from

Yuksel (2015) shows that a phenomenological study is a study that can find reality on

individuals regarding with their feelings and experiences. Researchers used this study to avoid

assumptions or misconceptions. It sought to reveal the life experiences of an individuals instead

of just describing what the respondents said. Therefore, this study will allow the researchers to

understand the life experiences of an individuals.

further explain and understand the experiences of a college students balancing their part time

jobs and academic responsibilities, focusing on how they balance their time and challenges they

faced while doing Part-Time jobs.

Research Site

The study was conducted in three College schools, Tarlac State University (TSU), STI

College of Tarlac (STI), and Philippine Woman's University (PWU), colleges that is located in

Tarlac City. Where students are valued and understood, especially in consideration of their

circumstances. Despite of attending different schools, education consistently provides equal

knowledge. Students who work while they study are valued at these institutions. The demands of

working students are being given special priority by these Tarlac colleges. This study is solely

based on college students who study while working.

Selection Criteria and Participants

The total number of participants in this research is fifteen (15) working students who are

in young adulthood and have experience balancing work and studies. These fifteen (15)

respondents came from different colleges in Tarlac City. The researchers selected participants

from three different schools in Tarlac City, with each school contributing five (5) respondents,
making a total of fifteen (15) participants. The gender distribution consists of two (2) females,

two (2) males, and one (1) LGBTQ respondent per school. The sampling method used in this

study is purposive sampling, wherein researchers selected participants based on specific

characteristics, knowledge, or experiences relevant to the study.

The criteria for selecting participants are as follows. First, they had experience working

while studying simultaneously, they provided insights into the challenges of balancing sleep,

time, and financial responsibilities that motivate them to work while pursuing their studies.

Second, they were college students. Third, they were residents of Tarlac City. Lastly,

they are currently employed while studying. These criteria served as the basis for participant

selection in this study. All over, purposive sampling helped the researchers to gather different

views while being organized.

Data Collection

This study employed Purposive Sampling. The Research team utilized a semi-structured

interview method to gather information of this study. Semi-structured interviews are a well-

established means for data collection in qualitative approaches to educational settings, since they

allow researchers to gather in-depth information and are flexible and adaptable, yet directed,

research instruments (Ruslin et al., 2022). The number of questions increased during these

interviews that allowed more thorough examination of answers from participants. The opinions

of the participants were investigated using open-ended questions which includes their

experiences, challenges, and their coping mechanisms.

teachers and business owners served as the validators of this study. Their knowledge helped the

researchers to ensure that the research questions are beneficial for the participants that gained a

more concise and clear goal for the study.

Data Analysis

The data in this research were criticized through thematic analysis wherein themes and

patterns are identified. This method will help the researchers to explore the data to gain an

organized theme. (Clarke & Braun, 2013). According to a related study from (Vaismoradi et al.,

2016), this method allows the researchers to address the questions in an effectively manner.

The analysis derives through various key steps: (1) Getting to know the data; (2) Creating

initial codes; (3) Seeking for themes; (4) Scanning for themes; (5) Interpreting and labeling

themes; and (6) Generating the report or data.

First, the researchers transcribed the collected data and closely analyzed it to fully

understand the participants’ experiences and perspectives. Initial codes were developed by

identifying patterns and important points within the data, which were systematically categorized

to create broader themes. These themes were carefully reviewed and refined throughout the
analysis that ensured clarity, coherence, and alignment with the data. Each theme was clearly

defined and labeled that provided a deeper understanding of its significance.

Additionally, the researchers collaborated to analyze and interpret the findings, ensuring

that conclusions were drawn directly from the data. Finally, the results were synthesized into a

comprehensive analysis that were supported by interpretations and explanations based on the

collected information. In summary, thematic analysis served as a systematic and detailed

approach that uncovered key insights into participants’ experiences that gained fa deeper

understanding of their perspectives.

Role of Researchers

The role of the researchers is to inform the respondents about the credibility of the

research and to preserve their safety so that they can have a positive bond. The study aimed to

learn about the respondents' experiences as students and part-timers. This will help the researcher

formulate, test, and create hypotheses about the respondents' experiences (Hiebert et al., 2022).

The researchers conducted it with the chosen respondents that the data collection process

was organized, confidential, and respectful of participants rights. Further data gathering, the

researchers also examined the collected information that recognized patterns and topics provided

significant insights into the challenges and strategies of college students managing both jobs and

academics. Throughout the study, they were sustained ethical considerations, secured privacy,

confidentiality, and integrity in all aspects of their research.

While making the semi structure interview research questions, which focuses on

exploring the lived experiences of a college students who balance their part time jobs and

academic responsibilities, validation from experts is needed in this interview. In this semi

structure interview research questions, the researchers have 3 validators to successfully ensure

that the questions we conduct is align with our study. The first and second validator in our study

is a professional social science teacher. Using his knowledge, they slowly assessed and

understand the questions that ensured the questions were relevant and concise to the participants.

For our third validator, the researchers had a Business Owner who lent us his knowledge

that polished our research questions.

Their significant validations were used to polish and correct the questions, refining the

effectiveness and concise respond from our participants. After the validation of the

questionnaire, the researchers began to conduct the interview. At the end of the interview,

responds from the participants were validated by themselves that ensured precise and represents

their experiences realistically. Once the findings are validated and checked, researchers analyzed

the data to find themes and review them after. This validation process is important because it can

create a more credible and reliable findings and data for this study.

Ethical Consideration
 The researcher applied the principles of ethical considerations established by Saunders,

M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2012). Concerning the involvement in this study, participants did

not face any harm. Before conducting the survey, an Informed Consent Form (ICF) secured from

all participants, including college students from Tarlac State University, STI College of Tarlac,

and Philippine Women's University, that ensured they were fully aware of the purpose, nature,

potential risks, and benefits of participating in the research.

Additionally, the confidentiality of the research participants safeguarded in compliance

with Republic Act No. 10173, and the Data Privacy Act of 2012. This law ensured the proper

collection, storage, and processing of personal data. The voluntary participation of respondents

was highly respected, and they had the right to penalty or consequences.

When handling data, a sufficient level of confidentiality were maintained, and all

personal information were securely stored and protected. Any form of misleading information

and presenting primary data findings in a biased manner were avoided. Furthermore, the highest

level of objectivity was upheld throughout the discussions and analysis of the study. In

compliance with Republic Act No. 8293, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, any

intellectual property, including written content, data, and research materials, were appropriately

attributed to the rightful authors and creators. This ensured that copyright laws are strictly

followed and that any materials used are properly credited.