PRESENTED BY:

Mia Romero, Elmikah Pabalan, Audrey Alilang, Mark Espedilla,

Josh Espineli, Markjohn Lumagda

01- ROMERO
INTRODUCTION
Importance
Research Gap
Research Questions

02- ROMERO
IMPORTANCE
Explores the lived experiences of working
students who faced financial hindrances
while pursuing education.

Aims to identify and understand the

motivations of working students to continue
their academic pursuit despite the financial
hindrances

03- ROMERO
RESEARCH GAP
Studies that were conducted within Seventh-
Day Adventist universities regarding this issue
are limited.

Aims to know and understand the

motivations of working students to continue
their academic pursuit despite the financial
hindrances

04- PABALAN
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What are the experiences of
RESEARCH QUESTION #1
working students in dealing with
financial hindrances?

How do working students gain

RESEARCH QUESTION #2
motivation in continuing their
academic pursuit amidst the
financial challenges? 

05- LUMAGDA
RESEARCH QUESTION #1 RESEARCH QUESTION #2

1 Financial Challenges 1 Using Hardships as a Motivator

Desire to Graduate to Have a

2 Engaging in Part-Time Jobs 2
Better and Improved Life

3 High Amount of Student Loan Debt Spending Quality Time with Friends
3
and Family
4 Loss of Motivation
4 By Praying to God
7
5

06- ROMERO
07- ROMERO
THEME 1: FINANCIAL
CHALLENGES
Working students are experiencing financial challenges in their family
due to their parents’ unstable jobs and low monthly income.
“My parents once again they cannot send me to college and then i do not
want to stop schooling and I want to pursue to finish it because you know in the
province you know the situation there is kinda hardMy parents doesn’t have any
particular work only side lines and with that they cannot really provide for
everything to us their children.”
“We don’t have the financial means to provide for my tuition and mahal ang
AUP, so, yung work kasi ni mama, hindi siya, nasa minimum lang yung per
month niya.”

08- ESPEDILLA
THEME 1: FINANCIAL
CHALLENGES
Working students are experiencing financial challenges in their family
due to their parents’ unstable jobs and low monthly income.
The common cause of a student’s financial challenges is poverty (Jewell,
2014).
Being a working student is a responsibility shared by many less fortunate but
willing young adults and adults. Not all parents can afford to send and assist
their children in school. As a result, some students are forced to work to
support themselves (Burgos et al., 2020).

09- ESPEDILLA
THEME 1: FINANCIAL
CHALLENGES
The COVID-19 pandemic is also a root cause of their financial challenges.
“Financially we’re struggling...di ko alam pero yung root cause na nakikita ko
is yung pandemic, kasi yung sari-sari store namen was closed and yung step
dad ko na nagpapautang, hindi na nakakapagbayad sakanya yung mga
nagkautang, so, ayon wala na kaming talagang source of income asides sa work
ni mama.”
Due to the pandemic, the global economy was slowed down (Haleem &
Vaishya, 2020).
The COVID-19 have caused the closure of businesses and canceling of
operations (Benaraba et al., 2022).

10- ESPINELI
THEME 1: FINANCIAL
CHALLENGES
The COVID-19 pandemic is also a root cause of their financial challenges.
“Especially during the time that nag-less ng working student. Nagbawas sila. Yung
motivation ko, parang nawala na. So, because I'm always having this balance in my account.
Tapos, ako yung tinanggal. Nagbotohan sila. That was summer. Gustong-gustong mag-work
ng summer. Kasi walang class. It was a good time for me. Para maka-focus sa work. To have
a lot of hours. Para maka-ipon. Because may balance nga ako eh. Hindi ko sila maintindihan.
Bakit ako yung tinanggal.”
The serious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic also affected educational
institutions (Beneraba et al., 2022).
For working students who have lost work or have become unemployed due to
COVID-19, the possibility of being able to return to work in the future is an
important matter (Tsurogano, 2021).
11- ESPINELI
THEME 2: ENGAGING IN PART-TIME
JOBS
Working students decided to engage in part-time jobs to provide for
their own allowance.
“So, I have my sideline haircut. So, they are paying me around two hundred
per head. One fifty per head. So, I'm lucky. I managed to have a budget or
allowance. I didn't ask money for my allowance sa family ko.”
"I work some part time such as laundering someone's clothes and I'm doing it
well."

Some students might have to work full-time and do multiple jobs to cover the
expenses of their studies (Goldrick-Rab, 2016).
They are students who work to support themselves, to assist their parents in
dealing with the constant rise in tuition fees, and to meet their own needs
while studying (Perna & Odle, 2019).
12- LUMAGDA
 THEME 3: HIGH AMOUNT OF
STUDENT LOAN DEBT
One of the challenges of working students is paying their account
balance.
“I'm always having this balance in my account. Right now, I'm having 100,000
na utang. So, but before that. Before kasi, I have also balance of 40,000. Tapos,
ako yung tinanggal. Nagbotohan sila. Then, I was one of the one
na hindi
nakasama sa mag-work.”
“I heard him that despite the financial status of him, there’s this particular big
amount to pay and then someone paid for it and someone helped him somehow
and then I was really inspired."

College students who had student loan debt were more likely to experience
financial strain, and subsequently more job search strain (Froidevaux, 2020).

13- ALILANG
 THEME 4: LOSS OF MOTIVATION
Working students tend to lose their motivation to continue their
academic pursuit due to financial challenges and academic/work
pressure.

“Especially during the time that nag-less ng working student. Nagbawas sila.
Yung motivation ko, parang nawala na.”

For working students who have lost work or have become unemployed due
to COVID-19, the possibility of being able to return to work in the future is an
important matter (Tsurogano, 2021).

14- ROMERO
 THEME 4: LOSS OF MOTIVATION
Working students tend to lose their motivation to continue their
academic pursuit due to financial challenges and academic/work
pressure.
“I have in my circle of friends na nag-give up. I have co-fellow workers na nag-give up. Alam
mo yung, nandun na eh. They are already third year.They spend their six years here as a working
student. Then, after pandemic or before pandemic, they give up. Talagang nire-reach out ko sila.
Sabi ko, please come back. Unti na lang yun eh. Imagine you spend your six years here. Then,
you will be going back to your home. Nang wala lang din. So, para san yung six years na nispend
mo dito? Nag-work ka, nag-aral ka. Napakahirap, sobrang hirap. Ang hirap, it's really hard to
manage to work and to study at the same time.”

According to the study of Hovdhaugen (2015) , working students are less

likely to complete their degree program compared to non-working students.
According to Trurogano’s 2021 study, working students had difficulty
continuing their studies and balancing their research activities due to financial
hardships.
15- ROMERO
 THEME 4: LOSS OF MOTIVATION
Working students tend to lose their motivation to continue their
academic pursuit due to financial challenges and academic/work
pressure.
“As a working student talaga, sometimes mafefeel talaga nila parang pagsuko na, kasi
syempre paranong mapapagod ka din dahil paulit ulit nalang yung ginagawa mo. Magaaral,
magtratrabaho, magaaral, magtratrabaho. Mafefeel mo na parang sukong suko ka na sa sobrang
hirap kasi pag working student ka talaga, iba yung hirap na mararanasan mo eh kasi syempre
nagaaral ka, nagtratrabaho ka.”

Majority of the participants in the 2022 study conducted by Solmiano et al .

stated that they are experiencing emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion
as a result of continuous and severe stress.
Working students may experience fatigue and burnout, which can lead to a
range of physical and mental health problems (Cortes, 2019).  

16-ROMERO
THEME 4: LOSS OF MOTIVATION
Working students tend to lose their motivation to continue their
academic pursuit due to financial challenges and academic/work
pressure.

“Oo may mga times din na nag bre-break down ako, wala na akong
motivation but by coming to God and ask guidance from him lahat naman may
solution.”

The problem of searching for motivation to continue when faced with financial
constraints is a complex issue particularly affecting working students. They
have faced major time demands, resulting in a conflict of priorities, which
causes emotional distress and risks their physical health (Dias, 2021).

17- ROMERO
18- PABALAN
THEME 1: USING HARDSHIPS AS A
MOTIVATOR
Working students use their hardships as a motivation to continue their
academic pursuit.
“Sabi ko, yung pagkawala ko ng motivation. Ginawa ko pang motivation
yun eh. Yung minsan ayoko na wala na. Parang, bakit ako pa kasi? Tapos, yun
yung balance ko eh. So, out of that ano, binuild-up ko pa siya sa isang
motivation na sige lang, kahit hindi ako dyan sa department niyo, magagraduate
ako. Papakita ko sa inyo, gagraduate ako. So, I said it to myself.”

“Actually, yung hindrance di naman siya talaga yung.. Uh um na hindi ka

makapagpatuloy but hindrances makes you inspired to pursue the dreams in
your life.”

19- PABALAN
THEME 1: USING HARDSHIPS AS A
MOTIVATOR
Working students use their hardships as a motivation to continue their
academic pursuit.
“Hardships its already there. It is always present, whatever circumstances in
life, hardships are there, trials are there, challenges are there, but it will mold
you, it will help you achieve your dreams and your goals”

Working students are adaptable and persistent in the face of adversity

(Solmiano et al., 2022).
Working students are persistent in earning despite additional challenges
because of motivations like their socio-economic problems, academic fees,
and an opportunity for personal development (Abenoja et al., 2019) .

20- PABALAN
THEME 2: DESIRE TO GRADUATE TO
HAVE A BETTER AND IMPROVED LIFE
The main reason working students decided to pursue education despite the
financial hindrances is to have a better and improved life not just for themselves but
also for their family.

“Kahit ano pang hindrances siguro, di lang financial, magwowork ako if

need talaga if wala nang ibang way para makapagaral ako, gagawin ko talaga
kasi gusto ko makapagtapos muna….i want to become professional para may
mapatunayan den na dapat putulin na yung cycle ng aming family tree na
hanggang dito lang gusto ko hindi lang siya mababa, iano ko itaas ko pa yung
level.”

21- ESPINELI
THEME 2: DESIRE TO GRADUATE TO
HAVE A BETTER AND IMPROVED LIFE
The main reason working students decided to pursue education despite the
financial hindrances is to have a better and improved life not just for themselves but
also for their family.

"I do not want to do the same cycle. Yes, I should be helping them(parents).
But I want it in a long term manner right? Because if I work then work then work
what will i achieve? Nothing! I just helped them but what about me? I want that
someday,, that if i will be able to help them I want it to become long term, since I
graduated I have this bachelor degree and then i can work and work and also
provide for them."

22- ESPINELI
THEME 2: DESIRE TO GRADUATE TO
HAVE A BETTER AND IMPROVED LIFE
The main reason working students decided to pursue education despite the
financial hindrances is to have a better and improved life not just for themselves but
also for their family.

"Saaming magkakapatid ako nalang talaga yung nagaaral. Lahat sila ano
nag stop na. Lima kami ako nalang yung nagaaral. Nag-stop na, nag-asawa na.
So kahit ano mahirap parang ipinush ko kasi gusto ko ibigay sa magulang ko na
kahit manlang isa sa mga anak niya makapagtapos.

23- ESPINELI
THEME 2: DESIRE TO GRADUATE TO
HAVE A BETTER AND IMPROVED LIFE
The main reason working students decided to pursue education despite the
financial hindrances is to have a better and improved life not just for themselves but
also for their family.
According to Nucum (2018), the financial crisis is the primary reason why
students continue to work while studying.
Participants from the 2021 study of Hermawan & Astuti stated that they want
to graduate quickly because it is their responsibility, because they want to get
a good career path, they want to make their parents proud by giving their best
to their parents.
Research indicates higher feelings of self-determination promote increased
student achievement (Graham & Vaughan, 2022).

24-ESPINELI
THEME 3: SPENDING QUALITY TIME
WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Having social support can fuel the student's motivation to continue studying.

“Pero yung first circle of friends talaga, yun yung ano ko eh, yung naging
motivation ko na lahat kami gagraduate. Nagbubuo kami ng plan. We have that
plan na isa pa sama tayong ganito. Magkikita tayo after graduation. So, I think
yun yung isa sa naging motivation ko”

“Yung mga kaworker ko sa department, mga naging kamajor ko, sila yung
mga dahilan bakit ako nagpapatuloy sa araw araw. Nakakatulong sila kung bakit
kailangan kong ituloy ang laban.”

25-ESPEDILLA
THEME 3: SPENDING QUALITY TIME
WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Having social support can fuel the student's motivation to continue studying.

“Tapos umalis pa sila auntie, diba pumunta silang Palawan. Yon, kaya
parang nawalan narin ako ng ano na ipagpatuloy pa magaral. Pero nung
bumalik sila, ayon, parang, kayalangan ko pa talaga magaral.”

The study of Nyatsanza and Mtezo (2013) stated that one of the coping
techniques reported by students to have been used is seeking social support.
These support the study of Mette et al. (2020), which found a wide range of
coping mechanisms to deal with their job demands, one of them is asking for
support in situations of conflict.

26-ALILANG
THEME 4: PRAYER
Christian working students’ main solution to financial hindrances, major life
obstacles, loss of motivation, physical and mental exhaustion, academic burnout is
prayer .
"Prayer, prayer ,prayer, is the key, the first resort na pinupuntahan ko pag
wala ng other ways or things na nagmomotivate sakin”

“Oo may mga times din na nag bre break down ako, wala na ko na
motivation but by coming to God and ask guidance from Him lahat naman may
solution.”

Other studies (Jeynes, 1999, 2003b; Muller & Ellison, 2001; Regnerus 2000; Thornton,
93 2004) have identified religion and beliefs as strong motivational factors, which
improved students’ academic performance.
Participants in the 2013 research study of Logan revealed several factors, including
religion, which have supported them and helped them to be successful in their academic
careers.
27-PABALAN
28- ROMERO
CONCLUSION
The lived experiences of working students in dealing with financial
hindrances is stressful and demanding.
Most working students are motivated to study because they want to
improve their lives and the lives of their families.

The continuous cycle of working and studying leads to loss of

motivation.

Working students tend to find different ways to deal with loss of

motivation.
Having social support and guidance from God can fuel working
students' motivation to continue their academic pursuit.
29-ESPINELI
RECOMMENDATIONS

30-ROMERO
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young
men stumble and fall; but those who hope in
the Lord will renew their strength. They will
soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not
grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
ISAIAH 40:30-31

31-PABALAN