Pros and Cons of Working While Earning a Bachelor's Degree

I needed a way to pay for college, and taking out student loans was not a sacrifice I was willing to make. I determined to work while attending school. There were many weeks that I hit 35 plus hours at work. I have been graduated almost two years now and am excited to share my list of pros and cons.

Pros of Working While Earning a Bachelor's Degree

1. You can make it through debt-free or with less debt. I did it with only scholarships that paid for my first semester. You can do it too if you put your mind to it. 
2. It helps you become self-reliant.  My expenses weren't on my parent's shoulders. I had to answer to no one but myself, and it was great. I was in complete control of my life. 
3. You learn how to use your time wisely.  Have you ever memorized a flashcard full of important information while running on a treadmill? I have! Have you ever recorded yourself reviewing test notes so you could listen to them at work, in the shower, and while commuting? I have! Time is limited, and you find out how to balance a busy schedule.  
4. Procrastination was never an option. If I had time to do homework, I did homework. Assignments were submitted days in advance if possible.  
5. Working while going to school made school more meaningful. I had too many classmates that took school for granted because they didn't sacrifice anything to attend. The value of education increased as sweat, tears, and hard-earned money went into it. 
6. I gained valuable references for future jobs. Yes, your diploma is vital but isn't the only thing you need to land a job.  References from recent former employers are incredible for resumes. 
7. You will become more well-rounded. In high school, my life revolved around a report card. A 4.0 GPA was on my mind all of the time. It was 100% unhealthy. Working in college forced me to drop the idea of perfection and live life. NOTE: I never got below a B in college. I didn't care less I just realized I needed to balance my life more. 

Cons of Working While Earning a Bachelor's Degree

1. It was a hard thing to balance!  I was so overwhelmed throughout my college career. 
2. I wasn't a full-time student for two semesters. If I didn't have the money for college, I would settle for fewer credits. This made school take a little longer. 
3.  I didn't have as much social life. I still socialized, but it had to be in small amounts. 
4. Other classmates have more time to learn. It was easy to pick away the kids that didn't have jobs. They were the ones that talked about the random studying they were doing on the side. I wished I could study leisurely, but that was impossible with a full-time job.
5. You can't focus 100% on school.  Students that didn't work and took advantage of this opportunity landed themselves in great internships and jobs. 
6. It can cause high levels of stress, anxiety, and mental health issues. You health is also important

"Our goal is to help the world make decisions with a list of Pros and Cons. We invite all to add to our lists to help others make the most educated decision possible. We are all in this world together to help each other and learn from what others have learned from their lives journey." - Pros and Cons Team
                                                                                               Written by: Kristen