In my defense, I haven’t been totally oblivious when it comes to college expenses. I already knew about the pile of debt that will be waiting for me once I complete my undergraduate degree. As of this summer, though, I understand the difference between knowing about debt and understanding the reality of the colossal, suffocating, ugly, UGLY debt that you are in. Now that I am applying for student loans myself, with my dad co-signing, I have seen a number. A large number, which will only grow larger in the next couple years.

Being a person with zero expertise on anything finance-related, I am only just now learning about a little devil called interest. For those of you in the dark as I was, an interest rate on a student loan is basically an extra percentage of money going to the loan company you have chosen. That makes sense, right? The supplier's got to get paid somehow in the process. But what this means is the amount of money you are borrowing is only a fraction of the total cost. You are doing business with two companies: your loan supplier and your school. Oops. Guess that's something that should have clicked in my head...

Financing college is a huge source of stress, and unfortunately, as I’m sure all students figure out at some point, the stress doesn’t stop there. There is a lot of uncertainty that comes with deciding which classes to take and what to major in. I know sophomores-now-juniors who have been debating on switching fields and are still unsure what exactly they want to pursue. Students sometime end up taking extra classes in order to graduate on time. Plus, a college major alone does not guarantee a career; there are also internships and job positions to think about, and narrowing your options is never easy. And let's not forget about any extra personal-life problems that arise at the most excellent times.

I am in the midst of this anxiety-fest called young adulthood. I can’t help but obsessively question and second-guess my future: Where will I end up? What career am I cut out for? Will I ever be able to move out of my parent’s house? Do I have any chance of supporting a family someday? Should I marry rich? Sell my stuff? Rob a bank? How come I’m spending all of this money if I’m not even sure of myself?

All these questions lead to the ultimate spirit-crusher: What am I even doing in college?

This existential crisis reoccurs for me nearly every semester. There is slight reassurance in seeing that I’m not the only one; all students at some point weigh their options, trying to decide which direction to go in order to achieve their personal definitions of success. Despite not being alone in the process, it all seems so hopeless sometimes. Even with a decently-paying job, the dark cloud of debt above my head isn’t going away, and the foggy future ahead is still unclear.

I expressed my discouragement to my dad one day while we attempted to get through the student loan application. He dropped some knowledge on me: “College is going to pay for itself.”

I was initially pretty confused. Um, no Dad, that would be me paying for college. He went to remind me what I think all students need to be reminded of in times of doubt: college is shaping you into a better you.

Forget about money for as long as you are possibly capable of. Forget about that foggy future. Take a moment and think about all of the opportunities you have had since starting college (and if you haven't started college, think of what's to come). You have probably done things you never would have otherwise: read classic novels, taken trips funded by your school, made incredible friends and connected with professors. I bet you’ve had “impossible” papers to write which (surprise!) weren't so impossible after all. Consider all that you have accomplished and how your experiences have changed you. The purpose of college is to help young adults become more intellectually advanced, to spark their interests in subjects and issues important to them and to encourage their involvement in order to develop their futures. Frankly, even if my pile of debt was doubled, I wouldn’t not have chosen to attend college. So far, I have learned about remarkable subjects, opened my mind to new concepts, and made the greatest memories with my friends and classmates. I think that is most important; the livelihood and passions of people should be valued over their “worth” in the job market.

Of course, doubts arise, anxiety returns, stress is inevitable and money is never not an issue. But mindset is everything; excessive worrying only makes a situation worse. Why choose between building a stable, fulfilling life and enjoying yourself?

While you’re in school in the semesters to come, I suggest you accept your uncertainty, forget about debt for a while, and have fun on your journey. If, even for a fleeting moment, you feel inspired, hopeful, or proud of yourself and how far you’ve come, hold onto that feeling. That, I believe, is what makes college worth it.