מילים חדשות · 3

When I told my parents that I wanted to work on Friday mornings at a small bakery in our neighbourhood, my mother was worried. "What about your studies?" she asked. "You have the bagrut this year." She had a point. But after a year of selling bread and cakes, I believe that a part-time job was one of the best decisions I have made.

First of all, work taught me the real value of money. Before I started, I asked my parents for money without thinking twice. Now, when I want to buy new shoes, I know that they cost about six hours of standing behind the counter. I have become much more careful about what I spend.

Second, the job made me more confident. At the beginning, I was so shy that I could hardly look customers in the eye. The owner, Mrs Cohen, noticed this and gave me a simple rule: smile, say the customer's name if you know it, and never argue about a mistake, just fix it. After a few months, I found myself chatting easily with people of all ages, and even dealing politely with angry ones.

Of course, there is a price. I have less free time, and on Thursday nights I go to bed early while my friends go out. There were weeks, especially before exams, when I felt tired and my grades went down a little. I had to learn to plan my time much better.

I am not saying that every teenager should get a job. For some students, the pressure of school is already more than enough, and that is fine. However, if you can manage it, even a few hours a week can teach you things that no classroom can. As Mrs Cohen likes to say, "Bread does not wait for anyone, and neither does life."

When I told my parents that I wanted to work on Friday mornings at a small bakery in our neighbourhood, my mother was worried. "What about your studies?" she asked. "You have the bagrut this year." She had a point. But after a year of selling bread and cakes, I believe that a part-time job was one of the best decisions I have made.

First of all, work taught me the real value of money. Before I started, I asked my parents for money without thinking twice. Now, when I want to buy new shoes, I know that they cost about six hours of standing behind the counter. I have become much more careful about what I spend.

Second, the job made me more confident. At the beginning, I was so shy that I could hardly look customers in the eye. The owner, Mrs Cohen, noticed this and gave me a simple rule: smile, say the customer's name if you know it, and never argue about a mistake, just fix it. After a few months, I found myself chatting easily with people of all ages, and even dealing politely with angry ones.

Of course, there is a price. I have less free time, and on Thursday nights I go to bed early while my friends go out. There were weeks, especially before exams, when I felt tired and my grades went down a little. I had to learn to plan my time much better.

I am not saying that every teenager should get a job. For some students, the pressure of school is already more than enough, and that is fine. However, if you can manage it, even a few hours a week can teach you things that no classroom can. As Mrs Cohen likes to say, "Bread does not wait for anyone, and neither does life."

When I told my parents that I wanted to work on Friday mornings at a small bakery in our neighbourhood, my mother was worried. "What about your studies?" she asked. "You have the bagrut this year." She had a point. But after a year of selling bread and cakes, I believe that a part-time job was one of the best decisions I have made.

First of all, work taught me the real value of money. Before I started, I asked my parents for money without thinking twice. Now, when I want to buy new shoes, I know that they cost about six hours of standing behind the counter. I have become much more careful about what I spend.

Second, the job made me more confident. At the beginning, I was so shy that I could hardly look customers in the eye. The owner, Mrs Cohen, noticed this and gave me a simple rule: smile, say the customer's name if you know it, and never argue about a mistake, just fix it. After a few months, I found myself chatting easily with people of all ages, and even dealing politely with angry ones.

Of course, there is a price. I have less free time, and on Thursday nights I go to bed early while my friends go out. There were weeks, especially before exams, when I felt tired and my grades went down a little. I had to learn to plan my time much better.

I am not saying that every teenager should get a job. For some students, the pressure of school is already more than enough, and that is fine. However, if you can manage it, even a few hours a week can teach you things that no classroom can. As Mrs Cohen likes to say, "Bread does not wait for anyone, and neither does life."