Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences, challenges, and coping mechanisms of student-parents enrolled in a demanding technical program, specifically the Bachelor in Automotive Technology. A qualitative narrative research design was employed to capture in-depth personal accounts of how student-parents navigate the dual responsibilities of higher education and parenting. The study was conducted at the Mariano Marcos State University–College of Industrial Technology (MMSU–CIT), Philippines, during the academic year in which data collection took place. Using total enumeration, seven (7) student-parents who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires administered either face-to-face or online and were analyzed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. The findings revealed multiple, interrelated challenges faced by student-parents, including persistent financial strain, time scarcity, academic pressure, health sacrifices, reduced social interaction, and emotional stress arising from role conflict. Financial difficulties were marked by family-first budgeting and delayed academic payments, while rigid academic schedules intensified time-related stress and academic fatigue. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated notable resilience through strengthened family bonds, emotional maturity, faith and spirituality, structured time management, and reliance on family and social support networks. The study concludes that student-parents in technical programs experience complex and compounded pressures that extend beyond academic demands alone. These findings underscore the need for higher education institutions to implement more inclusive and responsive support systems—such as flexible academic policies, targeted financial aid, and accessible counseling services—to promote student-parent well-being, retention, and academic success.