Some individuals claim that running a business while still in school is beneficial for students. From my perspective, however, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages for several reasons.
On the one hand, starting a business during college does offer some benefits. Managing both study and entrepreneurship allows students to apply what they learn in real-life situations. Moreover, certain soft skills like negotiation or professional communication may not be taught effectively in the classroom, but can be developed through hands-on experience. For instance, in Vietnam, some students run online shops in their second or third year of university, which not only helps cover tuition fees but also improves their financial and people management skills.
Nevertheless, running a business is a demanding task that requires full attention. Juggling both school and entrepreneurship can easily lead to distraction, resulting in poor academic performance or business failure. For example, many Vietnamese students who run online stores on e-commerce platforms often struggle to manage both responsibilities. As a result, they receive low grades in their major subjects while also generating limited revenue from their business.
In conclusion, although starting a business early can help students gain valuable experience and skills, I believe the risks and downsides outweigh the benefits, especially when students are not yet ready to balance both commitments effectively.