I always knew I would go to college.
I felt like it was expected, but it was also something I
wanted.
The funny thing, though, is that I really had no idea
what I wanted to do or study or major in.
I took the ASVAB and other aptitude tests. I asked
friends, sought mentors and guidance, but I was never really sure what I wanted
to do with my life. Nothing brought any real direction and my compass had no north.
In truth, I had no real business being in college when I
did not have an end goal. I should have gone to a community college, taken some
credits, worked and saved money.
The problem with student loans is that they enable you to
spend money without purpose.
I worked hard, showed up to class, made good grades. But
when you are working without goal, you are spinning wheels that are not moving
forward.
Later in life, I finally knew what I wanted to do, but it
was after 8 years of college and a masters degree. How much money was spent
before I knew what I needed to know, only to accumulate more debt in order to
do what I wanted to do.
Now, 10 years after graduating with my second degree, I
am in profound student loan debt that will never go away.
Despite paying over $1000/mo for the past 10 years, I am
now in more debt than I was when I started.
Did I seek counsel and get advice before acquiring the
debt? Yes. But the counsel was that it would be easy to pay off with the money
I would make.
My dear young self, I am sorry that I did not know better
before. I am sorry that you will be saddled with crippling loans. I am sorry
that you did not understand the game of education.
I appreciate how hard you will work. Know that it was not
for naught.
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