Coping with uncertainties: Unveiling the lived experiences of working students in the new normal

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused widespread disruption in school institutions. This has given a challenging routine to working students who work for a living while supporting their studies. This study seeks to unveil the lived experiences of the working students in the new normal education. A descriptive phenomenological study was utilized to explore and capture their lived experiences. The purposive sampling technique was utilized to collect the data from 11 working students who passed the inclusion criteria. A modified Colaizzi’s seven-step method was used for data analysis, wherein codes, categories, and themes were extracted from the responses of the semi-structured interviews. After the data analysis, five major themes emerged: (1) challenges and struggles during a pandemic, (2) meeting financial and social needs, (3) seeking support, (4) commitment and self-discipline, and (5) work-study balance. Based on the results, working students have adapted quickly to address the challenges and struggles in the new normal education. However, support and measures should be given to them to help and ensure that their studies and work will not be compromised.