It wasn't until my junior year of college that I started my first part-time job. A little late in the game, I know. However, I couldn't have picked a better time. In May 2016, I started working at Belk. Little did I know, that job would teach me so much. Here are some things I've learned.

1. Spending money you earn is so much more rewarding than spending money you were given.

I was always taught the value of money growing up. My parents made sure I knew that nothing was free and money has to be earned. However, it wasn't until I started making my own money that I really understood this. There's just something about checking your bank account knowing that you earned everything in there. It also makes you realize that $30 shirt isn't always worth it.

2. Time management is no joke.

If someone took a peek inside my schedule, they'd probably wonder how I'm still sane. Between a full-time class schedule as a commuter (living an hour away from campus), 300-required volunteer hours, classroom observation hours for my major, and working 20-25 hours per week, I had to learn how to use my time wisely. Let's just say my planner is my best friend.

3. Kindness goes a long way.

Working with the public on a daily basis teaches you patience on a level that nothing else can. You quickly learn that everyone deserves a little extra kindness even when they don't show that same kindness themselves. Going out of your way to be a little extra helpful or extra cheerful to someone can change their whole day. It's not easy to do this to everyone, but it's worth it. People might not remember your name, but they'll remember your attitude. Trust me.

4. Taxes.

This is probably just me, but nothing fires up my inner lover of liberty and freedom like looking on my pay stub every two weeks and seeing that a good 1/4 of your paycheck is given away in state and federal taxes. Then, you look in the news and see how the government is spending this money and get fired up all over again. Yeah, this is probably just me.

5. DON'T BE LATE.

I tend to run on my own schedule at times, meaning I'm either 10 minutes early or 10 minutes late with no in between. Having a job has definitely changed this about me. Being on time is definitely a quality that everyone needs to learn at some point in their lifetime.

Working a part-time job has given me the opportunity to learn so many valuable life lessons in just a short amount of time. While it makes life a little busy and hectic sometimes, I wouldn't have it any other way.