Starting uni: Did or will you get a job from day 1?

I noticed during my first 2 months at uni that a fair few people get a job from day 1 (or seem to have had one months prior in the area). I think it is a good idea if you need the money but I knew a few people from my flat who literally worked every day other than their lecture day (4-5 days a week). I was thinking at least for the first year or first half of it just focusing on settling in/making friends and joining societies.. and just general social events mates/flat mates may invite me to. I'm in a very lucky situation where my parents are paying for my accommodation. So I don't HAVE to earn money to eat... I'm also not someone that drinks in large amounts when going out. But of course prior to year 1 (or maybe half way through) I should get some part time work.

I noticed during my first 2 months at uni that a fair few people get a job from day 1 (or seem to have had one months prior in the area). I think it is a good idea if you need the money but I knew a few people from my flat who literally worked every day other than their lecture day (4-5 days a week). I was thinking at least for the first year or first half of it just focusing on settling in/making friends and joining societies.. and just general social events mates/flat mates may invite me to. I'm in a very lucky situation where my parents are paying for my accommodation. So I don't HAVE to earn money to eat... I'm also not someone that drinks in large amounts when going out. But of course prior to year 1 (or maybe half way through) I should get some part time work.

I had to get a job from day one otherwise i wouldn't have had enough money to live. My loan barely covered my rent to start with

Even if your parents are paying for your accommodation I cannot recommend getting a part-time job during term time enough. It never hurts to have a bit of extra money and really, first year is the best time to get a part-time job because your course will not be as intense.

A part-time job will allow you to meet people you would not have usually met and will introduce you to some of the local people who have lived in the city/town all/most of their lives and so will be able to tell you about the place and all the best spots to go! You'll also be more productive when you are doing your university work, rather than thinking to yourself "aw, I'll just do it tomorrow...". Having a job during university is really normal and I hardly knew anyone who didn't work during university. Myself and most of my friends were still working during our final year.

Working during your university degree, in my opinion, is essential. It'll make it easier for you to find part-time employment after your degree if you are struggling to find a graduate job or if you are looking for work during your PG degree, if you choose to do that.

People will say "but it will affect your grades, you can't balance it all". Well sadly, in life people do multiple things in their lives and get on just fine. Mature students studying part-time will have full time jobs and literally all PG students will be doing some kind of part-time work. Part-time work shows the ability to multi-task, manage different responsibilities all at once, and the ability to prioritise. I cannot tell you how much easier it is to get jobs in retail/pubs/supermarkets, etc when you have 6+ years customer service experience.

You need to finish university with more than just the little bit of paper they give you on graduation day.

This is madness as usual. You need this sort of experience to get... a job in retail/pubs/supermarket? What a dreadful prospect. Is that your life goal? Have you got no ambition?

You live in an entirely different social dimension. Which is unsurprising since, instead of living the uni life, you closed yourself in your bubble of part time workers.

Of course the piece of paper isn't enough. The network, outlook and valuable experiences are also important. Working in a supermarket isn't valuable. I can't be wrong, as while you are expecting to get a part time job after uni, I'm going straight into a good position in the financial services industry. Who's smarter?

@op if you are at a good uni and have enough money to live, don't work part time. Focus on getting top grades, extra-curriculars, related (even unpaid) work experience, your own interests and projects, socialising, intellectual growth (uni years are a great period to explore human knowledge and general affairs) and having fun.