As much as I'd love to waste away the days of summer vacationing on a beach somewhere, the truth of the matter is birthday money can only stretch so far before you realize that the only non-zero numbers in your bank account balance come after the decimal place.

So, Here are the best parts about having a summer job. I'll start with the obvious winner...

1. M O N E Y

Going away to school made me realize that you spend a lot of money in college on more than just books (I'm looking at you, Insomnia Cookies). Though having a positive balance in your bank account is a nice change of pace, you soon realize you have nothing to spend money on because you don't have any free time. Unless, that is, you discover how to spend three weeks worth of pay at a single mall outing- which is easier than you'd expect.

2. It gives you something to occupy your time

For once you're spending your days in a productive manner, rather than the usual one that begins at noon and ends some time around nine and is filled with Netflix marathons and regretted empty ice cream pints. On the other hand, once you start working, every day seems like a beach day that you're missing out on. But you need the money, so suck it up and stick to the "Beach Days" Feature Snapchat story.

3. You make new friends

Summer jobs are a great place to meet new people because you can easily bond over how unwilling you are to be there in the first place. Your job will undoubtedly fall short of the expectations set forth by High School Musical 2 (I learned this one the hard way), but your coworkers will slowly turn into actual friends, and if they don't then at least you have someone to pass the time with that isn't your dog. I just hope you're luckier than me and find that less than 75% of your coworkers are over 30.

4. It adds to your resume

Since you can't add "able to eat seven s'mores in under 10 minutes" to your resume to impress employers, saying you had a summer job will do.

5. You gain "valuable life experience"

I'm not quite sure how making sandwiches counts as gaining life experience but hey, if my mom says it, it must be true.

6. And who could forget about all the time/money/energy you save in regards to clothes

I'm at least slightly positive that 75% of jobs meant for college students require khakis to be worn, and I for one know I would much rather sport a pair of Old Navy's finest than my new Victoria's Secret bikini that has yet to see the sun (I can thank work for that one).

So overall, having a summer job may put a total damper on your summer plans, but it's a worthy experience you'll be happy you had, trust me. Your future self (and present bank account) will thank you.

And remember, you WILL have days off and you'd better be spending those taking day naps on the beach with an iced coffee in one hand and an ice cream cone in the other.