Your numbers are approximate, 'cause you were getting paid from your tips. I'm pretty sure it wasn't constant 25$/hr. Working night shifts pays better, since my wage was around 14$, I'd assume night shifters in some bars were getting around 20$. A constant 20$/hr. And I didn't have to bust my ass working night shifts, 'cause these 14$/hr allowed me to pay for school and living costs for the whole period of study. And it was from working part-time (and occasional full-time during semester break), since it's allowed to work only 28 hrs/week on student visa (40 hrs/week during semester break). I had flatmates who were going to same school and working night shifts in a factory (their wage was 20$/hr). They preferred night shifts "since, the pay was better". Going to school right after work and then sleeping from afternoon till late evening, doing homework and going straight to the factory (the road took 1 hour, since it was in a different city). While I was going to work right after school and leaving in the evening. Having whole evening to enjoy and not being sleep deprived zombie like them. They were lagging behind with their study, 'cause they were literally falling asleep in class. And if your daily life was like my flatmates', it's not something I would choose.