Working while studying is a common experience for many college students worldwide. Despite the threat of the pandemic and the challenges in the blended learning modalities, working students continue to juggle their work and academic obligations. Numerous studies have been conducted that explored the experiences of working students, but these were conducted in the pre-pandemic setting and they do not tackle the relevant experiences of working students in the new normal, specifically the challenges they face in blended learning. To explore the experiences of working students and their challenges in blended learning, the researchers utilized a transcendental phenomenological research design and interviewed three working students from the Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSED) – Social Studies program of Leyte Normal University who were selected after a demographic survey. The study revealed that their primary reason to work was because of financial necessity. They also gained relevant skills while working. However, they considered their work as a hindrance to their personal responsibilities and expressed concerns over their health and well-being. The participants also stated that blended learning is both beneficial and challenging. The challenges they faced in blended learning are (1) conflict in schedule, (2) heavy academic workload, (3) non-attendance in synchronous classes and (4) the lack of technological resources. To address these challenges, they utilized various coping mechanisms such as resorting to support systems, approaching their teachers, and development of time management skills.

Keywords : Challenges, blended learning, narratives, working students.