what I'm learning in university and residence

[gramage]

-postsecondary education is important enough that you wont get a decent job without it, but not important enough that the government will subsidize it so you don't have a massive debt (or like me be forced to work menial humiliating jobs)
-if you pay a 200 bill that must be paid within 5 days on the first day it is due, it will not actually cover that bill, but rather part of a less important bill that you didn't even owe when you paid it.
-fire alarms signal tests, bad cooking and pranks, not actual fire.
why do I bother?

 

[TFG5]

debt load

Try if you can not to run up loans youll be stuck with them for a long time. Doesnt Canada have state sponsored schools that are somewhat affordable?

When I was in school merrily going along I signed what ever loan agreement before me assuming Id get a good job and pay it off in know time. It took me several years to get in a decent job and with normal living expenses paying those loans becomes a heavy depressing burden.

 

[Toad-O-Line]

Everyone has to sacrifice alot of time & money to build a future.

An education is an investment in your future. I agree that it is a drag that the youth of today will need to borrow money to fund their education, but if you are successful in your studies you will receive a great return on your investment.

As for working a menial job while trying to survive, welcome to a world several thousand of us have had to go through. Actually, you may find that juggling a hectic schedule (work & school) can keep you motivated - It worked for myself.

Try to keep your long term goal in focus (completing school). After that, your next challenge will be breaking into the working world with little to no experience in your field - So start networking in that area and maybe participate in co-op programs if your schedule permits.

BTW, it took me 4 years to pay off my school debt, working two jobs in the summer months and part time during the school term, but it was worth it.

 

[vidi vici veni]

Poor Gramage!

[snip]An education is an investment in your future. I agree that it is a drag that the youth of today will need to borrow money to fund their education, but if you are successful in your studies you will receive a great return on your investment.[snip]

I think that may be too much of a generalization. Gramage has stated that he's taking theatre arts. How much call is there for graduates in that field? Or say, fields like classical studies, or english lit, etc. etc?

I think that as a society we benefit from having a more cultured population but those benefits are probably intangible and unlike their costs, wouldn't necessarily be reflected in some sort of financial bottom line. Too bad. Presently if your talents lie in some area that society doesn't value, you're f**ked financially.

I look back to when I started at UofT in the mid-sixties. A full undergraduate course was $120! I didn't accumulate much in the way of debts. Freedom baby, yeah!!

vvv

 

[Romeo]

$140

$140=Cost per course in 1987.
40x140=$5600=cost of degree from 84-88.
I don't want to even imagine what it is now.
Gramage. Hang in there.

 

[gramage]

I have my bill now, it's $949.26 per course. full course load is 6 courses, figure it out.

 

[Toad-O-Line]

Re: Poor Gramage!

I think that may be too much of a generalization. Gramage has stated that he's taking theatre arts. How much call is there for graduates in that field? Or say, fields like classical studies, or english lit, etc. etc? vvv

VVV:

The bigger the gamble the higher the risk. My room-mate in college took philosophy & english at university. I often asked him what kind of return he could expect from his investment and he said that as long as he could publish his novel everything would be fine. Well to this date (10 years later) he has not accomplished his feat and he is riding a $20K plus debt. Last I heard he was cutting grass (not that I'm happy with this, I feel bad for him).

On the other hand a friend I went to high school with has published a couple of novels, written a few screen plays and runs a sound company for major films. He accomplished all of this without college or university.

The arts is a tough nut to crack - So many success stories have been written by people who did not follow the educational route.

Good luck Gramage, hopefully it works out for you.

 

[Craven Morasian]

It's all relative......

Don't worry about it gramage.........in 10 years it'll be you that will be pointing out how little you paid for your education compared with the kids of the future.
I can relate though. I'm just starting to pay my 20 grand back.
Your timing could be just right too. I think the film world is ready for a new action hero. (if not........Broadway beckons)

Craven.

 

[Cool Dude]

Re: It's all relative......

Don't worry about it gramage.........in 10 years it'll be you that will be pointing out how little you paid for your education compared with the kids of the future.
Your timing could be just right too. I think the film world is ready for a new action hero.

And your wife Miranda will be bitching at you about getting a real, not "reel" job. On the bright side, Hollywood actually pays Ben Afleck $$$ to act in movies.

 

[Willywants]

Cohabitation!!

I give my youngest son great credit for innovation and inventiveness, as well as creativity and initiative!
He spent his third year at university cohabiting with his fiancee, my now daughter-in-law! She was on a grant due to the loss of a parent!
Committed as I was to financing his education, I couldn't help but condone this mutual benefit! The wife was aghast!

Willywants

PS: Gramage, I suggest you sneak into the girls dorm somehow!
Maybe you can impress one of them with your new found sexual prowess and she'll invite you to stay!

 

[james t kirk]

When i finished university in 1990, the tuition for the entire year was just under 2,000.00.

The number of courses varies according to the discipline. I can clearly remember having 7 courses one term, and 6 every other term.

It was a lot of work, and in a way, i don' t think i could do it now, but it was the time of my life....

sigh

And, i never had a dime of debt thanks to my mother being a good planner from the time i was born, to my working my ass off every summer since i was 15.

Where do i line up for my hero biscuit??

 

[iguana]

When I was a student I couldn't afford SC, MP or escorts! I thought a pizza was a big deal.

My SO and I paid off a total of $47,000 in student loans. Two arts undergrad degrees to start with BTW. And all those Engineering students who made jokes about flipping burgers aren't doing any better than me either.

 

[Hornet]

gramage,

Hope you are majoring in a highly marketable degree. Not so much for job purposes immediately upon graduation but in the long run. As a York Alumnus myself I know they do not offer engineering as a degree but think of all those Nortel former employees that were only specialized in the high tech field. What are their prospects now.

My advice: if you are specialized have a backup like (business or computers)

Lastly, try paying more than the minimum balance every month. It took me 4 years to pay it off (some months I only paid the minimum and sometimes up to $800). The quicker you get the principal down the lower the interest becomes.

Hang in there.