Abstract
This research study aims to assess the Academic Challenges and Psychological Distress of selected college students from Emilio Aguinaldo College – Manila. Researchers relate to such a topic because it covers their experiences regarding the challenges they have experienced first-hand. This study will also emphasize a perspective of students' stressors that could potentialize distress towards online education. This research study utilized a correlational design with a self-made online questionnaire to assess the challenges and distress of college students. Two hundred thirty-seven participants voluntarily joined the online survey. The respondents were college students from the School of Arts, Sciences, and Teacher Education. The researchers used a controlled quota sampling to determine the ideal population and sample size. The results of the study indicated that online learning did not challenge students academically since they were technologically literate. But facilitating online learning was indeed a challenge for them due to distractions and internet connectivity. Consequently, the students' distress was caused by academic stress and burnout. Additionally, lack of motivation and fear of being academically delayed also aggravate further stress. The findings of this study support the need for educational institutions to provide special attention and intervention due to increasing stress associated with online learning.
