When I started college, this first thing I wanted to do was get a job. I have consistently held a job since I was able to start working and that's what I wanted to do. I aimed towards being independent, not having to ask for help from family or friends. I got my first job during college at Cotton Patch Cafe in my very first semester. I added a second job during my second semester.
Here is a brief timeline of my work:
Fall 2013 Cotton Patch Cafe; Spring 2014 Cotton Patch Cafe and YMCA of Abilene; Summer 2014 City Lights Theatre; Fall 2014 Pier 1 Imports; Spring 2015 HSU University Relations; Summer 2015 HSU University Relations and KTAB News; Fall 2015 HSU University Relations and YMCA of Abilene; Spring 2016 YMCA of Abilene and Alliance for Women and Children
With all of these positions, here is my list of dos and don'ts to aid in your ability to cope with working through college.
Do…
Have a good work ethic. The number one way to be happy with your job is to do it whole-heartedly. If you don't like the job, it is OK to quit and find another. But do that respectfully.
Take breaks. Take a day off. Be spontaneous. Take a trip home to surprise your family. Take a day trip with friends. Lay in bed all day watching Netflix.
Admit when you need help. Maybe you just need an ear to vent to or help with gas money. Maybe you feel like your parents won't be able to help, they will.
Make friends at work. Even your boss, they aren't usually mean. Sometimes, these are the people that will be able to help you out more than others. And if you work through the summer, these will be the people that stick around.
But possibly the most important one:
Relax. Focus on your education, that's why your here. Take the time to treat yourself. Go out to eat by yourself or with friends. Buy that slightly expensive item you've been wanting. Or get out of your comfort zone and do something you would do normally.
Don't…
Spend all your time at work. I am horrible about this—I will even stop by when I have nothing else to do and just talk to my coworkers.
Work all the time. Stop taking everyone's shifts. Stop volunteering for extra work. Sometimes it is OK to do those things but also remember you did not come to college to work.
Get mad that others don't have to work. Some people's parents ask them not to work. Some parents saved all the necessary money for their child to attend college. It's OK to not have one of those parents but don't get mad at those people, even if they are acting entitled.
Be selfish with your time. Spend some off time with friends or family. They will appreciate it if they haven't seen you in a while. It's OK to volunteer and it is OK to cover a shift when someone asks. Help someone move.
Be selfish with your money. Treat a friend to dinner. Take someone to the zoo or other recreational activity. It doesn't have to be expensive. When I ask someone to go eat, it's usually because I want the company. When they say they don't have money, that's when I tell them I can cover them.
and finally:
Waste your money. You're working for a reason. Don't eat out all the time, if you don't have a kitchen or dishes to cook on, find a friend who does and make an event out of it. You don't have to zero out your account every paycheck. Doing that may be fun at the start but it will just make your miserable.
