August 4, 2015 and December 18, 2015 are two of the most memorable dates up to the 33 years that have been spent on this earth.  The first signified the successful defense of a dissertation while the second marked the official end of a journey that has taken place since 5 years old.  It was the culmination of 28 years of formal education.  The latter should have been a joyous occasion, and it was.  However, it was also the realization that while one accomplishment came to be, another challenge awaited, a challenge and an obstacle that anyone who has pursued a higher education and used financial assistance in the form of student loans knows all about: paying student loans back.

For the next ten years, the mission, whether it is to be accepted or not, is to pay back student loans and, honestly, it is a mission that is looked at not with complete dread and disgust, but with curiosity and, yes, anticipation.  There is something to be said for people who pay what they owe.  Paying what you owe is a sign that someone’s word is bond.  Sure, it would be easy to join the chorus of students saddled with serious and substantial student loan debt and scream, “Fuck Sallie Mae,” but all the screams and chants in the world won’t change the balance that’s owed on those student loans.  So instead of being pissed off about it, the goal is to embrace the challenge of paying what is owed.