It’s my third year studying business here in the U.S., and if there’s one topic that keeps coming up in conversations, whether it’s in the cafeteria, during late-night study sessions, or even in group projects — it’s student loans.
When I first started college, the idea of taking on debt felt abstract. Everyone around me was doing it, and the paperwork made it seem almost routine. You sign a few forms, accept the loan, and the money appears in your account. It doesn’t feel real — not until you start calculating what repayment will actually look like.
For me, the turning point came last semester when I took a personal finance class. We had to create a post-graduation budget, factoring in loan repayments. That’s when the numbers hit me: the monthly payment wasn’t just a small deduction — it was the equivalent of rent in some cities. Suddenly, the “future me” who would deal with it didn’t feel so far away.
What makes student loans tricky is that they’re tied to hope. You borrow because you believe in your future — that your degree will open doors, that you’ll land a job that makes the debt manageable. But there’s also uncertainty. The job market changes, industries shift, and sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan.
I’ve noticed two types of attitudes among my classmates. Some treat loans like a necessary evil — they accept them, don’t think too much about it, and focus on getting through school. Others are hyper-aware, tracking every dollar, working part-time jobs, and trying to pay off interest before graduation. I’m somewhere in between. I work a few shifts a week, but I also know I can’t pay it all down while still in school.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that student loans aren’t just a financial decision — they’re an emotional one. They shape how you think about your career, your lifestyle after graduation, and even the risks you’re willing to take. I’ve already caught myself thinking, “Maybe I shouldn’t take that unpaid internship, even if it’s great experience,” because I know the bills will be waiting.
I don’t have all the answers yet. Maybe I’ll refinance, maybe I’ll throw every bonus and tax refund at the debt, or maybe I’ll just chip away at it slowly. But I do know this: if I could go back to freshman year, I’d spend more time understanding the terms before signing anything.
For now, I’m just trying to balance the present with the future — learning as much as I can in class, but also learning how to manage the reality that comes with the degree I’m chasing.