If only we got paid at school

As it is my first  post on facebook's most feared rival, I knew there was pressure on me to write about an intriguing topic which would get people thinking, get them talking and possibly get them arguing. After having numerous ideas such as talking about how Arsenal are better than spurs or why Mila Kunis is the sexiest woman in the world, I remembered that this is a blog about economics. So it then struck me - I should write about getting a part time job vs studying to get into uni.

Currently I don't have a part time job , partly down to the fact that i've only handed in my cv to about two places and I spend more time moaning about not having a part time job rather than looking for one but oh how I would love one.The question is though, will getting a part time job affect my studies and therefore my exam results and therefore my chances of going uni and  therefore me living without having a burning desire to slit my wrists with a stolen knife becuase you know, how would I afford it if all the uni goers get the good jobs such as store manager at tescos?

In all seriousness though, it is true that getting a part time job leaves students with an unavoidable opportunity cost. Simply put, getting a part time job leaves students with less time to study. However, it brings with it a whole array of benefits such as experience, independence, referrences, CASH and the best one of all, dodgy uniforms.Most higher education institutions understandably recommend 10 -15 hours of outside work during term time per week but this is all us students need. 15 hours of work a week whilst at school leaves us with priceless benefits that studying simply doesn't. Wouldn't it be bliss if schools would actually pay us according to how good are grades our? I would certainly have an incentive to get good grades...