ULusófona students give a voice to those balancing work and higher education
A report by Lusófona University students highlights the challenges of combining employment with higher education
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Balancing employment with higher education has become an increasingly common reality in Portugal. Behind this choice, however, lie stories of dedication, resilience and perseverance that often go unnoticed.
It was this reality that Marta Bessa and João Santos, students from the Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences at Lusófona University - Porto University Centre, sought to portray in their report "Life Against the Clock", a journalistic piece that brings together the experiences of working students, parents and international students who face the daily challenge of balancing work, study and personal life.
Throughout the report, the authors follow different life stories shaped by demanding routines, limited hours of rest and the constant struggle to manage time. Among those interviewed are students who study late into the night after a full day's work and caring for their children, as well as international students who combine employment and academic studies far from their families while also facing financial and administrative challenges.
The report also places these experiences in context with data showing the growing number of working students in Portuguese higher education, linking this trend to the rising cost of living and the increasing expenses associated with university studies.
The feature also includes the perspective of psychologist Ana Cláudia Barbosa, who warns about the impact of prolonged overload on students' mental health. She argues that higher education institutions should strengthen the support they provide by introducing measures such as greater flexibility in assessment methods, more adaptable timetables, hybrid learning models and improved access to psychological support services.
More than simply highlighting the difficulties, "Life Against the Clock" showcases the determination of a generation that continues to invest in higher education as a pathway to building a better future, despite the challenges they face every day.
