Part-Time Worker. Part-Time Students

This article explores the lived experiences of Filipino college students who balance part-time work with academic responsibilities. While employment provides financial relief and independence, it often compromises academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being—especially for underprivileged students. The paper draws on multiple studies to reveal how institutional shortcomings and economic inequality force students into unsustainable routines, transforming college from a place of growth into a space of quiet struggle. The study calls for systemic reforms that support the whole student, ensuring education is a path to opportunity—not exhaustion.