Last August I was in a Blissful ignorance of what money was, and what purpose it had in life. Laughing at the debt consolidation adverts and wondering how hard it was to just avoid debt altogether...6 months later and thousands of pounds down, I can see very clearly how it is possible.
I embarked upon the 'exciting adventure' that is University life, which is all good and well, but the underlying demon, as with the rest of life is money and general finance.
The false hope that comes in the form of a student loan soon dwindles, after the bank informs you that your 2 thousand pounds in credit, you go to the nearest shop, card in hand and a half full glass. weeks later and accommodation charges and general living costs, and the glass is definitely empty.
Going to the once friendly cash machine and seeing a minus sign in front of the numbers as about as fun as driving into a brick wall.
Ever optimistic, carrying on with food shopping is necessary as is the occasional 'treat' but is soon vanishes until all that is left is the depressing tint of yellow in the cupboard, from all the Morrison's value tins lining the shelves.
Now, as easy as it is for someone to tell you to just get a job, its just not that easy. The times have to work around you, and the hours reasonable so that university at work is not affected, because if it is, getting a job is useless as you are out of Uni and several thousands in debt still.
Obviously i don't speak for everyone as some people will have no debt and have the safety net of weekly money, but i do speak for the majority.
As the best years of our life slip by and we join the real world in our 20's the horror that has been brewing reveals itself in the form of the bank. and even those with no debt, now have to face reality, even if your born with a silver spoon in your mouth you don't feed yourself until your at least two.
Money suddenly becoming an issue is a set back in gaining 'Independence' but then again is a fundamental part of the whole package, but does it really have to be so much for three years of schooling?
I mean even after the debt is finally repaid, we have kids and then pay for them to go as well, but then we learn the value of how much 'the odd tenner here and there' and what it really adds up to.
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Never before have i read such an insightful and moving story as this one, being a university student myself i can relate to the hardships of debt, yet never has such simple linguistics, expressed such a profound deep truth. It remains me of Hard times by Charles Dickens, similiar poverty and social issues are mirrored in both contexts, and if i was to offer some consolation and advice, it would be to play drinking games such as the infamous touch the cup, in which you are able to steal peoples alcohol, get drunk and have an awesome time for the cost of 1 beer.
ReplyDeletei totally hear you here.
ReplyDeleteuniversity comes at a costly price, most think oh im going to university, bring on the student loans, and money, yet that money soon goes, and like you said on accommodation costs and day to day living.
Those not in uni seem to think all students spend their money on is drinking and partying, yet i've spent the majority of this semester indoors watching films and reading simply because I don't have the money to throw away on alcohol when i have a monthly phone bill to pay and food shopping.
And the whole thing about, "why don't you students get a job" it's not just about making the job fir your timetable and schedule of uni, but also actually getting one in the first place, not many jobs are really going with the recent credit crunch and companies are definitely less likely to give them to students because of the hours and times they cant work.
so really how is a student to live at uni....?