Lexington, Kentucky
As I sit on Jane's bed, I begin to start typing a topic that has been long over due, millennial debt.
Debt is not just a financial entity, but is intertwined in every aspect of our lives. It shapes the way we grow up, our political views, and even our friends.
I think my finances could be better, and it stresses me out sometimes, but why am I in debt to begin with?
As I started to ask this question for my own beneficial purposes, I realized that people around me are worse off.
During spring quarter I had (what felt like) my first big girl finance talk. An Alpha Phi alumna came and gave a quick talk about the book "Rich Bitch", and I loved it. It was the first time I was exposed to the theory of 'financial stability' and I wanted it. I kind of thought college as this lawless place, where I can do whatever and figure it out later, but it's not. Talking about finance is uncomfortable and weird, but it has to be done. Just because you have a job doesn't mean you can do what you want, especially when you're spending and are already in debt. I feel like it's harder going to school in a big city because everything is so expensive. There's so much to do and explore, and it all cost money.
I looked around me and realized for the first time that people take out crazy loans to go to school.
I think our culture is very f*cked up.
"But it's all cool and all because we're all doing it". What kind of mentality is that? We don't have to go to school, let alone a private expensive university. Where is this pressure that 'going to college solves everything' ? Going to college does not guarantee you the best years of your life. You might not find your 'sisters' or 'brothers'. I am the living proof that college kinda f*cking sucks, people are shitty and justify their behaviors on alcohol.
So why are we spending so much money to be here?
The loans that we are taking out are not for education, but for the lifestyle that college offers. The debt you will have for the rest of your life, is for four years of unlimited hook ups, memes, and white claws. You're going to take out loans just so that you have a desk job, go out to happy hour with your buddies, and European vacations once in a while. When did this become the norm? There's nothing wrong with this lifestyle, because it provides a sense of security, but it cannot be the path we take because we are scared to explore our other options.
How many of our parents attended college, let alone in this era? College is not for everyone, and it's okay to experience it and leave, just as much as it is okay to never experience it. Why are we taking out loans and settling to a life full of debt? Because debt is the only thing that lasts. In this generation, friendships and relationships come and go, but debt stays.
What is wrong with us?
I'll tell you what (I think is) wrong with us. We grew up when the internet was a 'new' invention. We are exposed to the world, good and often bad. We want to take comfort in a distorted version of reality, one that doesn't require effort. We are a generation that has it's own problems, it's own wave of statistics. We are the generation that people will write books about a decade from now. We are the generation that has fun for Instagram likes. We are the generation of $6 dollar lattes. We are the generation that hides on their phone when confronted with awkwardness. We are the generation that has crew love. Our best accomplishment is making it on Old Row. We are the generation that has less racial tension. We are the generation of Rupi Kaur poetry. It's not all bad, but the bad parts are miserable.
A decade from now, we will see that everyone that attended and graduated college, must of had something really wrong with them, myself included. How are we able to do all this homework and keep up with social and economic pressure? Are we giving up our sanity in return? Are we blindly following a system that doesn't actually better us?
