Balancing Acts: The Impact of Work-Life Balance among Criminology Working Students

Balancing academic and professional responsibilities presents significant challenges for criminology working students, often resulting in stress, fatigue, and role strain. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensure students' academic success and well- being. This study explored the experiences of criminology working students during the academic year 2024-2025 at a higher education institution in the Philippines. Using a qualitative research design, the study employed purposive sampling to select the ten participants, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed five distinct themes: (1) Time Management Challenges, highlighting the difficulty in balancing academic and professional responsibilities; (2) Work-Life Balance and Prioritization, emphasizing the impact of competing demands on academic performance and well- being; (3) Unpredictable Events on Routine, detailing how emergencies and unforeseen circumstances disrupt routines; (4) Impact on Academic Performance, identifying stress and fatigue as barriers to academic productivity; and (5) Support System and Communication, underscoring the importance of emotional and practical support from family, peers, and institutions. The study concludes that addressing the unique needs of criminology working students requires collaborative efforts from educational institutions, employers, and students themselves. Recommendations include flexible academic and work schedules, mental health support, and targeted time management training to help students succeed academically and professionally.