Gradfest

I went to Grandfest in the grand ballroom of the student union today. It was kind of surreal buying my cap & gown, a frame for my degree, and graduation announcements. That all went smoothly, surprisingly. I also had to do an exit interview because I took out student loans. I don't know why you have to listen to a 40 min presentation just because you took out a school loan, but if you don't they won't send you your Diploma. Hey after almost a decade enrolled in the school I stopped asking crazy questions like why?

So, the exit interview was actually the University’s financial department giving me a printout of all of loans I’ve taken out in pursuit of higher education, then making me sit through two 20 minute presentations. Good thing they did too, because the letters I get from the bank every month left me with questions over whether or not I owed anything (can you hear the sarcasm?). I mean, we’re all college grads – tentatively anyway – so after studying accounting and finance we obviously need our loans explained to us… I have to admit I was a little offended by the whole idea.

<> The first presentation taught me how to live on a budget based on a salary of $25,000 dollars a year at after taxes of 24%. It kind of makes me sad that this is what they think most people expect to be making coming out of college. That’s less than my student loan totals. A college degree used to be worth more than that on average. So the interview taught me very valuable skills. I’ll share two of them with you. The first is to bring pop to work with you – Yes she used the word pop this is the Midwest – because it can save you $200 dollars a month. I don’t know about you but I don’t buy 6 cokes out of vending machines everyday! The second item was to grocery shop with a list and not to do it with an empty stomach, because you’ll spend more. HA. I’m glad it took 20 minutes explain these things to me.<>

The second presentation was just as good. I have to admit it had some good information about protecting your credit and identity. But it was hard to listen after the speaker, with a straight face, turned to us and said Your student LOANs are real loans and you do have to pay them back, or you’ll get in trouble. Thank you for that. So all in all it was kind of a waste of my time. But At least I got to spend $280 in the book store one last time!! To tell the truth though, it was still kind of exciting because it is one step closer to finally being finished. 41 days to go!!