The cognitive burden of English-major student-mothers in Philippine higher education: A phenomenological approach

Student-mothers juggle with cognitive, emotional and academic weights as they navigate the dual demands of their studies and motherhood. This phenomenological study explored their lived experiences revealing how the linguistic and intellectual expectations of an English program, such as literary analysis, dense academic reading and writing tasks, and oral performance, intensify the invisible labor these women undertake. Four central themes emerged: (1) The Cognitive Cost of Multitasking Minds described the mental fatigue and emotional guilt in performing demanding tasks; (2) Inner Strength and Academic Aspiration reflected their motivation rooted in motherhood; (3) Academic Survival Tactics in a Rigid System highlighted their use of time management, self-regulation, and strategies; and (4) Student Support and Institutional Reform revealed the lack of policy accommodations within the university setting. The findings affirmed that while student-mothers faced various challenges, their remarkable resilience made them even more persistent toward their goal for a better future.