Every college student understands the struggle of classes, but not every one knows about the struggle of balancing school, work, and outside activities. Needless to say, being a working college student presents some challenges, but it can be pretty rewarding if you learn how to balance it. Among the many lessons you learn, both about your life and yourself from working and learning, there are 11 that are the most valuable.
1. You don't have time for everything.
Working and being a full-time student means that you have to make some sacrifices and decide what is most important in the grand scheme of things. There are only 24 hours in a day and so many things to do already. Joining that 10th club may not be the best idea
2. Weekends are practically non-existent for you.
Whether you work doubles all weekend, or you have three tests and two papers due next week, getting to relax on the weekend is an unfamiliar concept for you. The occasional dinner with your friends is about as exciting as your weekend life gets.
3. Lists become your new best friend.
Even if you never used a planner in high school, working and going to school require you to be organized. There are so many assignments, club activities, and work schedules to keep straight that if you don't keep track of it all, you'll inevitably forget something.
4. Planning your time off becomes a regular thing.
With your busy schedule, it gets difficult to see your family and friends. When you do have the opportunity to request off to go see people you haven't seen in a while, you plan it weeks in advance.
5. Netflix is not your friend.
Netflix is the best way to relax and get your mind off of things, but before you know it you've watched the entire first season of "The Vampire Diaries," and have failed to start writing your 15-page term paper that's due tomorrow.
6. Going to sleep early is practically a myth.
Between working late and having assignments every day, even getting to go to bed at midnight would be a gift. Most nights you get, maybe, four hours of sleep if you're lucky.
7. Your coworkers become some of your best friends.
Working nearly every day with the same people will eventually lead to some friendships. When you spend more time with your coworkers than you do with your best friends in college, you start to confide in them more and before you know it, it's like you've known each other forever.
8. When you do have a day off, you find yourself thinking of the money you could be making.
Having a day off sometimes feel like you're throwing away money that could have been in your pocket. Instead, one of your coworkers is cashing in on your day off.
9. You become a pro at multitasking.
Studying and running on the treadmill become one of your greatest talents. Even with everything you have to worry about with school and work, it's nice sometimes to go to the gym and let off some steam.
10. You're proud of yourself for being so independent and responsible but, at the same time, going back to kindergarten doesn't seem like such a bad idea.
You make your own money and are proud of yourself for that, but sometimes you get tired of paying bills and worrying about taxes and other adult things. Being a kid again sounds like paradise.
11. When you get your pay check, it all seems worth it.
Whether you get paid daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, when you get your paycheck it makes all the late nights and hard days at work seem worth it. If nothing else, it is helping you continue to pay for school and the rest of your bills.
