Lucky: Paying for college yourself
I thought that after National Assembly and Member PRemier, my schedule would be more open. Due to my lack of blog posts recently, I might have to admit that I was wrong. Nonetheless, I will strive to continue posting about PR, college, careers and professional development. I plan on writing about national assembly soon. But, I was just thinking about how being a financially-independent college student has affected me.
Am I lucky? In a recent interview, I was asked, “Do you think you are lucky?” I think I am in some ways. But, for every opportunity that I’ve had, there is a lot of time, hard work and money behind it. Tuition alone runs at about $6,500 per year at a four-year public institution, according to CollegeBoard.com.
Since I first sent in my application to Central Michigan University, I knew that I would be paying for college myself. This prompted me to do several things:
- Research potential majors. I spent hours researching what I wanted to do. Journalism? Advertising? Marketing? English? Graphic design? Somehow, I stumbled upon public relations. I researched the subject in-depth and made my decision to major in PR before I even graduated from high school.
- Make a four-year plan. Using a spreadsheet, I mapped out every single class I would need to take in order to graduate on time. I arranged them by semester and have used this map to figure out what classes to take. Because of this, I was able to make many classes double, or even triple, count. This saved money and time.
- Do the math. After living on campus for my first semester, I did the math. I was paying a ridiculous rate to live in a jail-cell sized room with three other girls. My sophomore year, I started living in a small, one-bedroom apartment with utilities included. I know living on-campus is convenient, but is it really worth the money?
- Get a job. I found a job at the beginning of my freshman year. Not only was I able to make money, but I learned the time management skills that my unemployed classmates probably have yet to learn. I can’t imagine what I would do without a job.
- Go beyond expectations. So you go to class every day and get decent grades? That’s not enough. Join organizations and take on leadership roles (bonus points if related to your major). If you’re really ambitious, create a Web site and a blog to build your personal brand.
- Build a network. The people you knew in high school might be a good connection someday. The people you meet today might be in the position to hire you in the future. Build and maintain a relationship with these people and don’t burn any bridges.
Paying for college has put a lot of things in perspective for me. Instead of seeing the college experience as one big chance to party and have fun, I see it as an opportunity to better myself for a career I will love. Even though it is stressful and hard sometimes, I think paying for my own education has been one of the best things I’ve ever done.
And I stand by the answer I gave in the interview.
I’m only lucky because I’ve worked hard for everything I have.
Learn it. Live it. Love it.
What I love most about this post is that you’ve turned what most people would consider to be an inconvenience at best, and more likely an annoyance (or worse yet excuse to not go to college), and made it something really positive. It’s true that the way you perceive things has so much impact on who we are and what we become and I think your approach to this situation is an accurate illustration of that fact.
As a small aside, these things CAN become potentially more difficult if you live attend a university where you’re required to live in expensive dorms until your junior/senior year, you play sports (without receiving athletic scholarship - small school) and don’t have time to get a job (and actually do homework), there aren’t enough classes offered to map it out the way you want, etc. — But then, that too is a choice.
Enjoyed getting acquainted with your blog.
R
Wonderful post! I too did ,most of the things on your list. To help alleviate the cost of college, I also researched and applied for almost every scholarship I qualified for. As a result, my college education was half-paid.
Great blog post!
@Ryan - I think you are right. Perceptions are important. I know several people who decided to not go to college because of the cost. And I understand how things can become difficult. There are definitely sacrifices that I have made and I’m sure that other students who have made them too. For example, I showed horses for 11 years and wanted to join CMU’s equestrian team. But, I decided not to since it would cost $500+ per semester. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I look forward to future conversations with you.
@Samantha - Thanks for stopping by. You make a great point. Scholarships are a great way to get your education paid for. The only thing I’ve found frustrating is not being able to find enough that fit me. I look forward to future comments from you.
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