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Junior year means you're officially labeled as one of the "upper classmen," and oh, what an odd feeling that is. It honestly felt like yesterday (excuse the overused expression) when my fellow friends and classmates - here at Binghamton University and those I've met from many other origins - first set foot into the higher education stage of life.
It probably hasn't fully bore into me yet. When my Shakespeare professor innocently asked who were freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, I had the nerve to raise my hand on the word, "sophomore." Oops. That was so last year.
Of course, every opening school year meant I would have issues with the financial aid system. Originally, my parents and I came to an agreement that they will take care of my first two years of college education while I take responsibility for the final two years. Well... the unspoken, verbal fine print basically said: Parents will take care of the "Federal Parent Plus Loan" only. This meant all the subsidized and/or unsubsidized loans from the government pretty much falls under my responsibility. Well, not that I take my parents' assistance for granted at all, no way, but come on. I make pocket change, and that pretty much goes into books, food, and other basic living and schooling necessities not provided by any financial aid. After a short adventure with the university's financial aid office - and just a little decision (or rather, indecision) - my parents decided to take up the Federal Parent Plus Loan once again, due to the fact that I'd have insufficient funds if I reject the aid.
Alternative measures include paying out of our own pockets (nah...) or applying for private loans (i.e. CitiAssist, Chase Bank loans, etc.). But the thing about private loans is that they tend to build up higher interest rates and other high charge fees. Oh, thank you, Mom and Dad. You don't want me to fall into a never-ending pit of darkness... a.k.a. monster debt. Federal Parent Plus Loan it is.
Since it's only been a day (the real meat of the semester is yet to come), not much else has happened. I've yet to purchase all my much-needed books for class and have yet to set up a meal plan. That brings us to another issue. Food. Known by many, and yet unknown by many, I tend to eat a lot. A lot. Starting from freshman year, I started eating at least three huge meals a day, with large snacks stuffed in between the idle hours. This came out to be somewhere around $600 to $1,000 per semester. That is disgusting. So instead of doing that, I decided to spend less money to buy more food. How? Groceries and home cooking. Sure, it's a bigger hassle and takes much more time, but at least I can't complain to anyone else if it tastes horrible and I save money.
Rice with beef and green peppers. Turned out quite nicely.
It probably hasn't fully bore into me yet. When my Shakespeare professor innocently asked who were freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, I had the nerve to raise my hand on the word, "sophomore." Oops. That was so last year.
Of course, every opening school year meant I would have issues with the financial aid system. Originally, my parents and I came to an agreement that they will take care of my first two years of college education while I take responsibility for the final two years. Well... the unspoken, verbal fine print basically said: Parents will take care of the "Federal Parent Plus Loan" only. This meant all the subsidized and/or unsubsidized loans from the government pretty much falls under my responsibility. Well, not that I take my parents' assistance for granted at all, no way, but come on. I make pocket change, and that pretty much goes into books, food, and other basic living and schooling necessities not provided by any financial aid. After a short adventure with the university's financial aid office - and just a little decision (or rather, indecision) - my parents decided to take up the Federal Parent Plus Loan once again, due to the fact that I'd have insufficient funds if I reject the aid.
Alternative measures include paying out of our own pockets (nah...) or applying for private loans (i.e. CitiAssist, Chase Bank loans, etc.). But the thing about private loans is that they tend to build up higher interest rates and other high charge fees. Oh, thank you, Mom and Dad. You don't want me to fall into a never-ending pit of darkness... a.k.a. monster debt. Federal Parent Plus Loan it is.
Since it's only been a day (the real meat of the semester is yet to come), not much else has happened. I've yet to purchase all my much-needed books for class and have yet to set up a meal plan. That brings us to another issue. Food. Known by many, and yet unknown by many, I tend to eat a lot. A lot. Starting from freshman year, I started eating at least three huge meals a day, with large snacks stuffed in between the idle hours. This came out to be somewhere around $600 to $1,000 per semester. That is disgusting. So instead of doing that, I decided to spend less money to buy more food. How? Groceries and home cooking. Sure, it's a bigger hassle and takes much more time, but at least I can't complain to anyone else if it tastes horrible and I save money.
Rice with beef and green peppers. Turned out quite nicely.
As any student would say... and probably not accomplish, I vow to improve my grades this semester! Let's bring about an end to procrastination, study hard, and do our best in all fields of academia! Yeah right...
1 comment(s):
good luck let me know if you success. i think we will end up back at step one eventually. lol
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