WORKING AND LEARNING EXPERIENCES AMONG MARITIME STUDENTS AMIDST THE PANDEMIC

The study aimed to explore the working and learning experiences among maritime students amidst the pandemic. Thus, the objectives are to determine the factors affecting academic performance and to investigate the aspects that need further enhancement to help maritime working students effectively. As the researchers believe that several students are struggling to adjust to online learning while also working on the streets amidst the pandemic. The researchers utilized the quantitative-descriptive method of research, utilizing self-made questionnaires as the major tool in the collection of data. In this study, the researcher’s selfmade questionnaire is composed of two (2) parts. The first part consists of the factors affecting academic performance, and the second part of the aspects that need further enhancement to reduce stress and fatigue due to working and studying at the same time. The researchers utilized purposive sampling under scientific design. This questionnaire was an instrument that was sent via an online form called a Google form. The survey questions of the study are for the Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering 2nd class, 3rd class, and 4th class working students enrolled in Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation during the period of the study, the second semester of AY 2021-2022. Data gathered were analyzed and interpreted using the following statistical treatment: weighted arithmetic mean system and ranking. The findings revealed that the physical factor affecting academic performance is lack of sleep, stressful tasks at work in terms of emotional factor, difficulty in decision-making due to a limited number of hours and job roles for mental factor, and insufficient time in joining clubs and/or organizations for social factor. The aspect that needs further enhancement in terms of time management is organizing class and work schedules, positive workplace in terms of the working environment, and expressing thoughts and feelings to family about the struggles at work/school in communication. The concluding part makes some suggestions as to how working students from Maritime Institutions can improve balancing time for both work and study as well as a suggestion for further research.