As autumn arrives, Ho Chi Minh City feels more vibrant than ever, welcoming hundreds of thousands of freshmen embarking on their first year of university the official “onboarding” season of youth. Leaving home, making new friends, learning independence, and maintaining a positive mindset mark a personal “level up” journey for every newcomer.
Amid this fast paced rhythm, there are small but meaningful turning points that help freshmen mature faster than any textbook ever could. Their first part time jobs become real world classrooms places where students learn how to work responsibly, navigate pressure, and most importantly, know when to pause and cool down when stress hits.
Freelancing: Learning to Take Control of Yourself
For Gen Z, part time work is no longer just about earning pocket money. It is an opportunity to build skills, push personal limits, and test independence especially through freelance work.
Trường Giang, a first year Graphic Design student in Ho Chi Minh City, recalls countless nights racing against deadlines.
“I started taking on poster design jobs and editing short videos for clients. Some nights I was color correcting until 3 a.m. The deadlines were intense, but I kept smiling. Exhausted and stressed, yes but happy, because I could see myself becoming more independent every day.”
Whenever deadlines pile up, Giang reaches for Zero Degree Green Tea to ease the pressure and clear his mind.
Made with natural green tea extract and EGCG, Zero Degree Green Tea has become a favorite among students seeking relaxation, refreshment, and energy balance between studying and working.
“I chose this green tea drink because it’s refreshing and good for my health. When I’m tired, just one bottle helps me rehydrate and mentally reset giving me that extra boost to switch back into creative mode and keep going,” Giang shares.
From a beginner with no prior experience, Giang now has regular clients and a stable income. “Freelancing taught me initiative. No one forces you you decide how to stand firm under pressure,” he says.
Content Creators: Turning Pressure into Creativity
If freelancing is a skills based classroom, content creation is a playground where Gen Z expresses individuality. Diễm Hân, a first year Communications student, found her calling on TikTok through simple daily vlogs about studying, eating, and working part time videos that unexpectedly attracted tens of thousands of views.
“At first, it was just for fun. Then people started messaging me, saying the videos gave them motivation. That’s when I realized even small moments can inspire others,” Hân recalls.
Behind the cheerful clips are long hours of filming and editing. Some days, the pressure was so overwhelming she just wanted to shut everything down. Instead of quitting, she chose a simple reset opening the fridge and enjoying a chilled bottle of Zero Degree Green Tea.
Part time work helps students become independent and gain real world experience, but it can also be stressful. A chilled bottle of Zero Degree Green Tea is their go to secret for cooling down and staying refreshed every day.
“The cool, refreshing taste and the natural green tea flavor with EGCG help me relax and ease stress. Once I feel refreshed, the inspiration comes back,” Hân says with a smile.
Today, her channel has gained thousands of followers not just for its charming content, but for the positive energy she spreads. “Pressure can be a source of motivation. What matters is knowing how to reduce stress and turn it into inspiration,” she concludes.
Baristas and Retail Work: Staying Chill During Peak Hours
Not everyone chooses screen based jobs. Many freshmen discover personal growth amid the aroma of coffee, the light bitterness of green tea, and the soft rhythm of lo fi music in cafés.
Khánh Vân, a first year Tourism student, remembers her first day as a barista at a small café in District 3 former:
“My hands were shaking. I spilled milk, mixed up recipes. But my coworkers were kind, customers smiled, and gradually I grew to love the job. Every cup of coffee felt like a small achievement.”
The job may look easy, but the pressure peaks during rush hours.
“Some days I’m completely drained. But after drinking a bottle of Zero Degree Green Tea, the refreshing sensation wakes me right up. Thanks to natural green tea extract with EGCG, the stress fades and I regain the energy to greet customers with a smile,” Vân shares.
Made from natural green tea with EGCG, Zero Degree Green Tea is a favorite choice among students for reducing stress and cooling down amid the demands of studying and part-time work.
Similarly, Trà My, a first year Marketing student working part time at a local fashion brand, recalls her early struggles.
“At first, I stumbled over my words, afraid of giving wrong advice. The pressure to close sales was overwhelming. Then I realized communication is an art and knowing how to cool down and reduce stress makes all the difference.”
To stay relaxed, My often enjoys a bottle of Zero Degree Green Tea during her shifts.
“After just a few months, I became much more confident. I learned how to style outfits, handle complaints, and honestly, I feel like I grew faster than I ever could from textbooks alone,” she says, smiling.
Reducing Stress, Building a Stronger Foundation for Growth
From freelancers to baristas, from content creators to retail staff, the freshman journey is a series of ongoing “onboarding” moments adapting to new environments, overcoming pressure, and discovering oneself. Along the way, what matters most is not just skills or income, but knowing how to manage stress, stay refreshed, and maintain positive energy.
As evening falls, the city lights up. After long days, freshmen gather on dormitory steps — some having finished their last coffee order, others wrapping up freelance jobs or uploading new videos. They share stories of work, lessons learned, and dreams ahead, while enjoying the refreshing taste of chilled bottles of Zero Degree Green Tea.
In those moments, stress seems to melt away, leaving behind youthful energy and optimism — empowering freshmen to move forward confidently on their own journey of growth.