In the context of opportunity cost analysis, if a student chooses to spend an entire summer working a part-time job instead of attending a summer course, which of the following best represents the opportunity cost of their decision?

Opportunity cost is what you give up when you make a choice. In this case, if the student decides to work a part-time job instead of taking a summer course, the opportunity cost includes the benefits they would have gained from that course. For example, the student might miss out on learning new skills, earning credits toward their degree, or making valuable connections with teachers and classmates. So, while they earn money from the job, they are also losing the chance to advance their education and personal growth. This shows that every decision has trade-offs, and understanding these can help students make better choices in the future.