You do have a point here. I should point out first that I did kind of make that remark in a state of frustration and probably didn't think it through clearly. I am sorry if that seemed unfair; I just thoroughly analysed my own situation, and that of every full time university student that I know and couldn't conceive a way that they would have enough time to work full time, especially when one takes into consideration the fact that comparably few places are open outside of standard working hours.
Of course - and I agree with basically everything you're saying (not just quoted but in general). I think it's just a topic that elicits emotional responses from a lot of people.
I don't want to waste my time on a part time job for terrible money when centrelink can provide me enough to live on while studying (i use the word waste because the majority of retail jobs won't help me in my future career). Plus I doubt my gpa would be as high if I juggled a job with Uni, I have no reason to. If someone thinks it's lazy not to put more stress while studying, you obviously don't know enough about higher academic learning.
There is nothing wrong with accepting youth allowance while studying, if it helps our education then i see no legitimate reason again it. It's not like every student gets youth allowance it's only if they are on low income, better education benefits everyone. There was a time when families from an academic background could only attend university, now with so many plans everyone gets an equal opportunity if that's the career path they choose.
You know, I started to write a list of all the ways that my part-time jobs in retail and hospitality have helped me in my (totally unrelated to either retail or hospitality) career. But, then I realised that I clearly, after a First-Class BA(Hons), and an MA with High Distinction and being half-way though a PhD, don't know enough about 'higher academic learning' to comment.
To be very clear: I think it's perfectly fine to either have a job or not have a job and claim youth allowance or not claim youth allowance while studying. I did both, and that worked for me. And I still got very good grades. And, I know people who could not have achieved the grades they got if they had worked (or worked more).
Thus - it's perfectly legitimate to say: 'I don't have a job because I know that I personally wouldn't be able to achieve the grades I want to if I had the extra responsibility of having a part/full time or casual job.'
It's NOT legitimate to say: 'People who work clearly don't understand what's involved in higher education.' or 'People who work clearly don't put enough effort/time into their study.' or 'I don't have a job because it's pointless and won't help my future career' (that's a MASSIVE cop out...)
