There is a select group of college students that are held in high regard above the rest. No, I'm not talking about Greeks. The students I am referring to are the "working class" of college students, left with limited free time (and still no money to show for it).
I have had a job since my 16th birthday- sometimes two or three at a time. If I wasn't lucky enough to switch shifts with a coworker, I was tearing movie ticket stubs, babysitting, or waiting tables while you were enjoying the football games. If you clicked on this article then you can probably relate to my list of confessions from a working college student:
We understand the value of a dollar
As much as we want that Best Buy LifeProof phone case we opt for the cheap, off brand Amazon version instead. When we do decide to drop a lump sum, it isn't on a whim; we think about it every hour for the 24 leading up to the purchase and then we still save the receipt in case we regret our decision. Can you blame us? We work hard for our money. Every time we spend it on something that isn't a bill, we measure it in terms of it's worth that many hours of work's pay. Unless it's food. Somehow I always still spend the money on food...
I can't make it, I have to work.
Sometimes it feels like a joke when it comes to the amount of fun things we have to miss because of work. Football games, birthday gatherings, Greek socials- you name it, we've missed it. It comes with the territory, but that doesn't lessen the pain. The good news is that we (and our friends) learn to appreciate the nights off AND we have a little extra money to enjoy them.
I can't make it, I have to work!
So this confession is for those times when we actually use work as an excuse. Suddenly having to work takes on a whole new meaning because you're using it as an excuse to get out of something.
Work friends are the best friends
There are always those coworkers that you would literally NEVER have been friends with in any other aspect of your life had it not been for work. This isn't a bad thing. In fact, I always look at it as a blessing. These are the people who keep you sane. They get you in a way that your other friends don't; Not only because you have to deal with the same boss, but because it's inevitable that some shifts will turn into psychology sessions since these people are an unbiased opinion about the drama in your personal life. You are bound to learn a lot from your coworkers- maybe more than you ever wanted to know. The best part is when your friendship transcends work and these people become way more than just your coworkers. I will always be grateful for the forever friends I have made through my various jobs.
We appreciate respect
If there is one thing working college students like, it's appreciation. If there is one thing working college students don't get, it's appreciation. Sure we are setting ourselves up for potentially high stress jobs in the future, but do you know what it's like to fit in 20+ hours of work, 2 papers, a test to study for, sleep, eat, and try to find time with friends all in a week?! We know what hard work looks like and we appreciate respect for it. We also really respect others in the same boat.
Happy hour takes on a whole new meaning
Happy hours and sale days are like second nature to you. You know where and when to go get the cheapest groceries- and drinks. You're all for Dollar Mondays at The Bulldog, Half Price Tuesdays at Corner Bar and Ladies Night at Cowboys, but when it's the weekend of a non-payday, you're all about Taco Bell nights with Netflix.
We know it'll make us better people in the future
Sure we may miss out on a few things, but there's something about actually having solid work experience, good references and a legitimate resume that we know will be worth it in the end. We know there is value to be had in working hard and we won't be in total shock when we enter the "real world". We will also have already learned a few life lessons that could only come in the form of dealing with a boss. So thank you to the general public who give us stories to talk about for days; thank you to the work friends who make it all bearable; and thank you to the paycheck that comes every other Friday- because we literally could not make it through without you!
Now... who is up for joining me for the Margarita Monday drink specials at Agave?!
