Circa 2008, I enrolled for fashion marketing. I went for a couple of weeks, loved what I learned, loved what I was about to learn. I entered an essay writing contest the school held which awarded 2K towards the tuition but what’s that gonna do? The prize was chunk change so my effort was completely for naught. It was fun doing it though. Everything seemed like a green light also for a student loan with Sallie Mae. The excitement. It all happened too fast… then
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I decided to pray to God whether I was doing the right thing. After all, I was going to pursue my fashion dreams. Yet, the answer came so simple with a resounding “I don’t want to get in debt.”
Am I glad I heeded. Society tells us “We won’t even bother looking at you if you don’t have a college degree. You are a second class citizen.” Can’t you see that people are forced to be slaves? If not a slave to the system, it is a slave to the banks!
Unless you have the cash ready and set aside and know for sure you won’t default on your payments, then by all means, but before you get into a life-altering financial decision such as going to college (college loans I’ve heard from horror stories can drag for life), definitely pray about it. We as finite beings love to chart the course of our lives but unforeseen circumstances abound which can deplete money set aside specifically for higher education.
Before I forget, there is a way to go to college in an affordable way. Attend college at the most prestigious university in a 3rd world country, come back to the US and take the certification exam for whatever it is you’re studying to become… If you pass it, no one can deny you’re matriculated. I know it sounds weird, but not only will you not be in debt, you will have enriched your life experiencing another culture. This isn’t some theoretical advice. I know people who have actually done this. 🙂
Food for thought: Would you rather be the person who says, “I have a master’s degree in _____. (Btw, I also happen to have 200K in debt.)”
“The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”