A few things here before I get into this:

First, I should begin by saying that if you think this is going to be an article filled with statistics and fancy numbers proving that student debt isn’t scary, you are absolutely incorrect. That’s not how I do things, I am one the corniest, touchy-feely humans to ever walk the earth (and yet I hate romantic movies, ironic I know), that’s beside the point, though.

Second, I am a Christian so a lot of what I am about to say comes from an inner peace that God has given me about this particular topic.

Lastly, I am actually terrified of a lot of things and absolutely ridiculous things. To name a few, I am petrified of the following: balloons, large bodies of water and fireworks. We can talk about that later.

See? My phobias are ridiculous, but I am not and never have I been afraid of student debt.

I know that as college students, we are pretty much programmed, and dare I say brainwashed, into associating paralyzing fear with that phrase. I have a confession, though: I will never understand why.

I haven’t really discussed this with anyone, but it scares me that I am not scared of the amount of dollars I will owe by the end of my college career.

I should say that my faith is probably the biggest reason I am not afraid, but even then, it seems logical to me not to be afraid. I have always been this way. I wouldn’t necessarily say I am a glass-half-full kind of gal. I am more of the “at least I have a glass” and “if I don’t have a glass at least I see the need for one and I’ll get one” kind of person. That’s exciting! Okay, back to this student debt epidemic. Do. Not. Fear. Really, really, really. Do not freak out. Everything will be okay. Do not think about the price tag that comes with your dream, and man, if you are in college or thinking about going to college, I hope you are going after what you love! If you’re not, then go ahead, change your major and go do what you love. Seriously, seriously. Maybe that makes me crazy, maybe that throws me out of the “realist” category, but I don’t care. I think choosing not to be afraid, choosing not to run from the very insanity that is student debt is being a realist altogether. Okay, you’re probably wondering why, since this is what this article is supposed to be about. Here it is: I am not afraid because I love my dream more than the price tag on it. I love that I get to study what I am most passionate about. I love that I get to be surrounded by thriving students who are doing the exact same thing. In the words of "High School Musical," "We are all in this together." Yeah, I said it and yes, we are. The student body celebrates together, whether it be spring break, the end of the semester, a walk out day, graduation, we celebrate. On the other hand, we cry together, we panic, we stress and we contemplate social and academic suicide when college life gets tough. It’s just what we do. Yet what I want to say to everyone is this: Do not be afraid (my Christian background is showing, I’m not sorry). It will be okay. Again, I am not scared of student debt because my passion for my job exceeds the price tag. In reality (there I go being a “realist” again), money isn’t squat. I spend it faster than I earn it and that’s the truth. Not because I am a reckless spender or terrible at my finances, but because that is life. I have bills, I get hungry, life happens and there I go, buying a new radiator or having to take my puppy to the vet because he ate the remains of a water balloon, or my little sister absolutely needs those light up sketchers. It is life and I would much rather choose not to be controlled by money or the lack of because I try and look at the bigger picture. One day, I am going to be doing what I love, every day. I know it is not going to be easy, I know there will probably be days where I will want to give up and I’ll get my monthly bill that’ll say “give me all of your money,” but that’s okay because I will be taken care of. I believe and trust in a God who can and will provide. I believe that being a student right now is my calling and I answered that call. Reluctantly, and it still scares me to this very day, because I am still human and I still feel, I still stress, I still have meltdowns, but I am not afraid of the outcome because I know that I know, that I know that this is what I am supposed to do. I know a lot of you reading this have to know what that’s like. You’re chasing your dream and yes, you are also paying for it, but do not ever let fear of the unknown or fear of college tuition and fees drive you away from that faith that deep down we all have, that we can and will make it. Will I live to see the day where my student debt is paid off? I have no idea, but I am not going to worry. There is already so much wrong with the world, so much sadness and hatred and devastation, I am not going to let my college experiences, my education, my passions in life be crumbled by all of that. So I leave you with that, maybe which is not enough to convince you to not be subject to that fear. If it’s not, then just remember you’re doing this because you love it and always remember that fear takes you in the opposite direction that faith does. Keep going, and go towards the inner voice that says, “You can and you will."