To Loan or Not To Loan
The year is 2019. I should be graduating soon (if I didn't fuck up too much in school). And I will probably be around $20,000 in debt. And if I go to grad school, double or even triple that amount.
Why did I choose to go to a university where I would be in tens of thousands of dollars in debt versus going to a university where I would essentially pay nothing?
"You're basically paying for a degree." Please stop looking at things in this way. The way I see it, I'm not just paying for an education/experience; I'm making an investment in my life. I'm simply taking a chance to learn more about myself and what I want to pursue in the near future.
I've accepted that student loans are inevitable, but they are not impossible to pay off.
Yes, it is terrifying to have this burden weigh down on not only me, but my parents as well. I could've gone to my local state university and not have to take out loans and even get money back, that would've definitely lessened the tension on our wallets. Oddly enough, I'm not too worried/hesitant to take out loans because I know that I will be able to pay them off on day. Not too sure how long it'll take me to be completely debt free, but I know it's going to happen. For me, college loans are just another motivator. A motivator to work even harder and build a career for myself. Not saying that without loans, I wouldn't be working as hard, but loans just another factor that reinforces my determination to accomplish my goals.
I'm still learning how to keep my everyday expenses in check. And with my new job I'll learn how to balance my finances as well as academics and extracurriculars.
Not going to lie, it does feel bad not being able to go out to events and seeing others do things that I know I could be doing if I could actually afford college. But I constantly have to remind myself that I'm still young and once I pay off all of my loans and can live with a lot less financial boundaries and stress.
And honestly things could be worse, at least I receive financial aid.
*If you did/are not taking out loans then you are the lucky ones.