A College Update

As we were huddled in our basement last night, hiding from the almost-tornado that swept through Nebraska, my mom finally got the call we’d been waiting for.

She was pre-approved for the Parent PLUS Loan.

This was a big deal for us, because she was sure she wouldn't get it.  With this crazy Europe trip and previous expenses weighing down her good credit, we were definitely worried.  Without this loan, I probably wouldn't be able to attend my college this fall.

I’m paying my way through college completely on my own, just as my parents did before me, but I obviously don’t have $32,000 on hand at the moment (yes, it's ridiculously expensive, I'm completely aware,) being only seventeen and without a job.  Luckily, my parents are awesome and willing to basically cosign this loan for me.  I fully intend to repay every cent.  It just might take me thirty years ...

Many, many people say “don’t get student loans!” and I realize that I’m probably just a naïve youngster who doesn't understand the ways of the world, but I don’t see how I could go into a career in theater without loans.

Yes, I could always get into a much cheaper local university and study something “safe” like … business.  I could settle for something “normal,” get a nice nine-to-five job and sit back and watch my little cash pile grow.

But I was cursed with a passion for art, and I will never be satisfied unless I immerse myself in it completely.  Perhaps I will be lucky and prosperous, and perhaps not.  Much of the beauty of this adventure is the uncertainty. 

I have prepared myself so that, if my life plan ultimately fails, I will simply move on.  I don’t think I’ll ever see these loans as a mistake, since I’m willingly taking them on knowing about the consequences.

I don’t know if it’s just me or if every teenager feels this way, but I’m really not scared financially.  I guess I just look at the numbers and figure that I will accommodate myself to meet my requirements when the time comes.  In twenty years, I’ll probably laugh at myself for thinking in such a black-and-white way, but for now I take comfort in these thoughts.

I have this really good feeling in the pit of my gut that everything will turn out just fine.  I trust that feeling.

Anyway …

This means that I am (almost) officially going to New York in October.  The physician’s form has been filled out and signed, the loans are all done.  Just a quick MPN for my mom to fill out, and we should be good to go!

I can’t worry about getting a job until mid-late July because of the Europe trip and my sixth mission trip with my Youth Group.  There are so many bakeries and cake shops and restaurants in my area that I shouldn’t have any problem putting my two years of culinary and baking courses to good use.  I’ll worry about that later.

For now, it’s shopping and packing for the trip.  Woo …

Love,

Little Me