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Losing the Freshman 40K
"I hope that the long-term payoff is becoming a well-rounded financially independent adult – not just learning the lesson of a bad investment."
By Lauren Silverman, 19yrs old
May 3, 2007
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to this Commentary!
"Inexpensive" and "college" are two words that should never belong in the same sentence together. Youth Radio's Lauryn Silverman – just finishing her freshman year of college – does believes college costs aren’t so easy on the pocket, but she also believes the knowledge and experience obtained through school won’t ever be able to amount to the unfriendly cost of education.
With my first year of college under my belt, I can say my mind is full, even if my pockets are completely empty.
I was paying for exposure to a new world--filled with coffee shop debates, rallies supporting affirmative action, and complete immersion in a culture of learning. At a few grand a piece, those experiences are hardly a bargain, but I don’t think I would have had them living at home.
Ripping open my tuition bill each month was a bleak reminder of the huge financial commitment my family has made. In order to profit on my shareholders’ - I mean my parents’ - investment, I have to take advantage of everything my school has to offer. I hope that the long-term payoff is becoming a well-rounded financially independent adult – not just learning the lesson of a bad investment.
So even though my college bill may read “room and board: nine thousand-770 dollars.” Personal and miscellaneous: three-thousand dollars, being challenged and discovering how the world works, is, in fact, priceless.
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