As I make my way through my final year of college, thinking about everything I’ve done throughout my time spent at KU, I realize I have done a lot. Some of it, maybe not so great, but I’d like to think for the most part, my college years have made me a better person than I was when coming into school at KU. I would like to believe that what I have accomplished during my time at school has prepared me somewhat for what the real world has to offer post graduation that will allow me to be successful.
Now, despite this confidence coming from more than one source, there is one thing in particular that I have done that really stands out to me when thinking about my readiness for life after college. And this would be that in all my years of taking classes and being a full time student, I have always also held a part time job or two as well. I have always been responsible for my rent, bills, and grocery money, and while at times, I would have liked not to have been, I will admit, this is something that will benefit me in the long run for multiple reasons.
1. I understand the importance of time management. When working at least 25 hours a week while also being a full time student, there isn’t a lot of time to waste in terms of getting assignments done. And while of course, there were times I definitely procrastinated, as the years went on, I realized how much less stressed I’d be if I just did what I needed to do instead of putting it off.
2. I know how to manage my money. If I could have gone out any night I wanted to with friends to either eat or drink, I would have loved that. If a friend offered to do something, but I was trying to save up for something else, believe me I wish I wouldn’t have had to decide between the two. But I am glad that despite my financial situation not always being convenient, it taught me how to manage my money for the important stuff and prioritize where it goes.
3. I understand the importance of respect. As silly as this one sounds, because it truly isn’t that hard to show respect for other people, there are a lot of people who think they are entitled enough to not show it to those they believe are below them. However, people do take notice of how you treat others, and I promise you, as I have seen it firsthand, you will go a lot farther in life by respecting those around you, especially in your place of work. People have a lot easier time returning the respect to those who show it in the first place.
4. I know for a fact that I will not be starting my job at the top of the totem pole making an obscene amount of money. I know that it will take some serious time and dedication to my job to get to where I want to be. Going to all my classes, working at least 25 hours a week and still getting all my homework turned in with grades of As and Bs have ensured me that I know I will have what it takes to get to where I want to be though. I have learned that despite it being hard to summon sometimes, I do have the drive to work hard and put in the time and effort to meet my goals.
Having a job has really sucked at times, and I will admit, there were moments where if I could have quit, I would have. There are times I have had to come home from a 7 hour shift and dive straight into homework and get maybe a total of two hours of sleep before I started over the next day. But now, as I make my way through my final year of a minimum wage job while attending school at the same time, I can appreciate the life lessons it has taught me in return. It has made me a better person and worker, and most importantly drives me to want to accomplish all my goals in the future.