College is a money pit. It's literally a big scam.

I'm gonna start by covering simple bills one may have before they even begin to think about their college education: bills. Before college, most teenagers have a car and a cellphone. Most students either drive a hand-me-down car or their parents bought them one specifically for college.

While many do not make the car payments or insurance payments, there is a great number that does. As for me, I am lucky to drive my mom's old car so I do not have a payment. However, I do cover gas and oil changes and pay my phone bill. Let me tell you phone bills are not cheap, although I'm sure you already know. So keep that in mind while reading.

First, and most importantly, tuition itself. Tuition goes up every semester, I swear. And it seems like financial aid covers less. I came to UWG for the fact that I could register each semester and only owe $2200-$2600 after my HOPE eligibility went through, depending on how many credits I wanted to tackle. That has hardly been the case.

Plus, if you live on campus that's an additional $2000 minimum for housing and dining. The rates for housing are super high considering you share a room with another person and do not have any dining/living space or laundry appliances. The wi-fi is choppy and you cannot park your car on campus (at UWG, freshman park at the stadium and must use the bus system or walk).

Then, they require you buy a meal plan since they do not accommodate means of cooking in your residence hall. After signing up for a meal plan, you will never use (but you're forced to get), and paying to wash AND dry clothes, you are $3000 in the hole just to live at school. Most students have to bite the bullet because they are not within commuting range.

Secondly, we pay a horrendous amount of fees. Most of these fees really aren't so bad as in they actually have relation to the facilities and what it costs to keep them well maintained, however, they add up fast on the bill.

And what's the point of a health fee when the Health Center really isn't free? Most students still end up paying sums of money that look like a co-pay would at a doctor's office, plus the price of a prescription you may need.

Thankfully, I avoided all of that. However, something no one gets to avoid: books. One book can cost a student up to $500. Yes, you read that right, one. Also, many classes may require three to five books. It is a big money pit. While you can rent books or buy them used, it still adds up very quickly.

Other classes may not require books but "strongly urge" you to utilize them and that adds pressure for students to buy them as they feel they need the added tool. Then there are classes that require you to complete homework online.

In order to do this, one must pay around $80 for an access code (this does NOT include any sort of textbook/material). If you do not buy this code, you will not have access to complete your homework and can guarantee yourself an F in the course.

Also, many courses taken the first to years are "prerequisites" that normally have no relation to your major and are courses that have been covered numerous times in grade school. It's a waste.

I cannot tell you how many courses I have taken because they are required but I could not tell you what I gained from that course. Whether it be I just did not learn anything new or how it has no benefit to my career. I could be spending my time and money furthering my education in better courses, such as grammar. Everyone and their mom struggles with grammar.

Now, what if you want to be involved on campus? Many organizations require some sort of fee. Whether it's the club fee, or fees to participate in events/buy t-shirts for the event, you end up spending money quite often. Don't get me wrong, I love participating in school activities but it adds up quickly and I can only spread my funds so thin.

I must work at least 15 hours a week to pay for any school-related events. Not to mention, I need money for groceries and gas and who knows what else may pop up. When am I supposed to find time to sleep or study? Or just relax and enjoy time with friends?

College is very stressful and demanding and these are just a few reasons why many students either drop out or simply do not find means to further their education.