There are moments when life feels like you’ve already fallen behind—like you’re starting late in a race you can’t afford to lose. And just when you feel that way, the world wakes you with the sound of rain drumming against your window, as if reminding you that today will be more exhausting than usual. 

In the Philippines, extremes collide—scorching summers and relentless typhoons—conditions that leave students vulnerable to illness and financial strain. Being a full-time student is already challenging, but adding work on top of it makes the struggle even greater. Beyond attending classes and submitting assignments, many carry a constant worry about what the future holds. As climate anxiety looms, many wonder: is there even a future waiting for them?

The never-ending struggle of school-work life

While some students can focus solely on academics, others face a harsher reality. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the number of working students has risen in recent years—from an estimated 872,000 in 2020 to over 1.48 million in 2022. Behind these numbers are real people trying to navigate circumstances they never chose. They juggle the weight of both school and work simply to keep going.

Being a working student means walking a tightrope with no safety net, balancing classes, assignments, and part-time jobs. While regular students struggle with deadlines and cramming, working students worry about finances on top of it. Morning lectures after sleepless nights, followed by gruelling afternoon or graveyard shifts, then heading straight home to tackle homework—this routine leaves little room for rest or self-care. It’s an exhausting endeavor that demands discipline and resilience, because one misstep can send everything crashing down. 

For some, this determination comes from a deep sense of purpose, unshaken by the circumstances. As third-year AB Communication student and part-time Business Development Associate at PREACT Tours, Christine Irish Torres, says, “Honestly, it’s the thought that I’ve already come this far. Even if it’s tiring, I keep going because I want to finish what I’ve started… not just for me but also for my family.” Her words capture the resolve of many working students who see education as a path to success—a journey that makes all of their hardships worth it.

As the rain falls, my future stalls

They say there is calm before the storm—but for those caught between lectures and labor, storms only bring more chaos. Heavy rain cancels classes, floods roads that make commutes extra taxing, and triggers power outages that cut off both study and work. It’s as if every drop of rain adds another weight to carry.

Typhoons shatter the fragile balance that working students cling to, dismantling schedules and scattering plans. Fourth-year AB Communication student Sherlhaine Gonzales explains, “I had everything planned out before I decided to go back to univ again. Every hour is scheduled and every single day is mapped out. Every time it rains, especially when classes are suspended, it disrupts my plans to work on certain projects.”

This uncertainty, piled on top of an already heavy load of responsibilities, only adds to exhaustion. Yet amidst this lonely battle, small gestures of understanding remind students they are not alone. From deadline extensions from professors to early log-outs at work during heavy rain—these small acts of kindness push them forward, showing that every struggle, while overwhelming, is part of a reality that they can’t ignore.

The rainbow at the end of every storm

Despite it all, working students remain resilient—their dreams are at stake, and their situations leave them little choice but to persevere. They endure the gusts of wind and rain, yet remain grounded in their goals, believing that all their hard work will bear fruit. 

This resilience reflects the journey of Francheska Estrada, a fourth-year Biomedical Engineering student at DLSU-Manila, who shares, “Every challenge teaches me something about strength, patience, and growth. My future is bright because I have learned to keep going no matter what happens. Every storm I survive becomes proof that I can handle anything.”

Rethinking her life choices, Estrada admits that amidst the chaos, she hopes to eventually build a life strong enough to withstand any challenge. As the hours pass balancing work and academics, she pats herself on the back and strives to navigate the shifting currents of her daily reality. 

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Working students walk a path shadowed by uncertainty, their futures often threatened by daily challenges. Climate change adds yet another burden, turning missed submissions or unexcused absences into obstacles that shape their lives. And yet, just as the sun rises after every storm, hope persists. Challenges may loom ahead, but the future they look forward to remains attainable under their own herald.

Art slider by Francesca Angela Jores
Originally published in Heraldo Filipino Volume 40, Issue 1.