Not only do families and students shell out thousands and thousands of dollars to attend college, work countless hours to be able to afford America's living standards, drown in loans, and have dark purple bags under their eyes, but also hold on to pulling anxiety wondering if you will even be able to afford your own healthcare by 26 years old. Entering my junior year of college, the stress is in overload, so please for my own sanity do not ask me why I am so stressed.

Yes, this is the real world that I am trying to adapt to before throwing myself into it. I don't even know where to begin, but let's touch on the subject of cost. Student loans are a touchy subject, considering that in America, as of 2017 the debt contributed is a total of 1.3 trillion. Not million, not billion, trillion. According to Forbes, the average class of 2016 has $37,172 in student loan debt. Now I still understand why people live with their parents. Keeping in mind that no job is guaranteed after graduation and if you are guaranteed one, your salary is probably less than the debt you owe.

I am not saying college should be free, but if someone wants to explain to me why some universities run over 50 grand a year, feel free. Let's compare the United States to Europe. Even though taxes are higher in Europe, many countries such as Germany, offer the best debt-free public college programs. Now let's discuss work. I know many people with a college degree who are working minimum wage jobs struggling to pay off debt. In the United States, the average minimum wage is $7.35. If you work 40 hours a week (full-time) you are making a grand total of $294. That is without taxes being taken out. How are you suppose to pay off the average $37,172 if you barely make $300 a week? Before anyone freaks out, I know that some graduates have way better-paying jobs than minimum wage, but everyone's situation is different.

If you do not work, living is going to be pretty difficult especially in America. If I am being honest, we are overworked, have less vacation time, a long way from retirement, and have long days. We are statistically the most overworked nation. I am not asking for a pity party, but let's compare the workforce in Europe. Take Sweden for example, it is a worker's right to have an estimated total of 25 days vacation time and 480 days maternity leave per child. Imagine being able to take a full year off to raise your child and not have to hire a nanny because you are still getting paid? 420 of these days are paid by 80% of your actual salary. Finland is also continuously impressive due to the fact that their government offers a maternity care box to expecting families. But don't forget America's population is 325.7 million compared to Sweden's 9.9. million.

In America, a mother gets 12 weeks paid if you even qualify for that. Also, keep in mind that the typical vacation time for an American citizen is about 2 weeks. So if you are thinking about starting a family while still contributing to your student loans, think again. Stressed out yet?

If you haven't had enough about loans and work, let's talk health care. Some Americans work and don't even have health care, but health care plans are offered through different jobs. Going to school and don't have health care? Usually, your university will add a plan to your bill. The average cost for a family plan is $833 per month and premiums for individuals are around $321 per month. Also, keep in mind that whenever you go to the doctors or a specialist a deductible needs to be paid depending on what insurance you have. Not only is living expensive but staying healthy is too. Europe has universal health care but of course, it is not free either but it is a fact that personal debts are lower.

Last but not least, let's discuss quality of life. In case you haven't noticed, violence in America is still on the rise and getting worse. In Europe "violence is lower. Happiness indexes tend to say Europe is happier, and apparently, Denmark or Iceland are about the best places in the world to live," By no means am I saying move to Europe, I am just comparing 2 countries. But next time if you ask any college student why they are so stressed, just pull up this link first.