After-dark Filipino Learners: Addressing the Stress Level and Grit among Higher Educational Learners and its Relationship to Academic Performance

Abstract

In the Philippines, a distinctive phenomenon exists wherein some Filipino learners nationwide engage in their pursuit of education through evening classes. The complex interplay of factors deeply rooted in the socio-economic realities of the country drives this practice, although it is not uncommon. This study sought to describe the relationships between stress level, grit level, and academic performance of Filipino after-dark learners in higher education. A descriptive-correlational research method was employed with 185 participants who answered the survey questionnaire. The results revealed that in terms of stress levels, after-dark learners reported experiencing stress at a somewhat frequent level across various domains, including physical, interpersonal, academic, and environmental. Also, respondents displayed strong traits of grit, indicating their capability to overcome setbacks, maintain commitment to goals, and handle challenges with determination. Furthermore, the study found weak positive and negative correlations between GPA and stress level and grit, respectively. These correlations were not statistically significant, suggesting that other factors may influence academic performance.