I Hope you had the time of your life...

Broke Grad Students Are The Next Debt Crisis And It’s Partly The Government’s Fault

If anyone asks me about my time at The University of Texas at Austin, I would respond that it was the best four years of my life.  It was a culmination of life experiences that I cherish and take with me for the rest of my life.  I received the best education I believe I could possibly receive, met wonderful people, and fell in love with the second best city in the world (sorry Austin, Florence will forever be #1 in my heart).

If anyone asks me about my time at The University of Texas at San Antonio, I would say it's a learning experience.  And please don't make the connotation that UTSA is inferior to UT, because it's not.  True that UTSA is not the Tier 1 University like UT and does not have certain amenities as UT, but that is not the point.  I enjoyed my time at UTSA and wouldn't trade my decision of coming here.  

Now, what's the point to this?  Read the article at the top.

Okay, you read it?

I have to slightly step off my counselor box for a moment.

I am LUCKY to receive my Bachelor's degree AND Master's degree without one single dime in debt.  And do you know why?  It's because I have the loving, full support of my family.  Okay, how is that any different from any other family when it concerns their child receiving an education.  It's because my parents always knew that I was not going to stop at a HS diploma, because they know what is available to people with only a HS diploma.  

More background information.  My grandparents NEVER received a college level education.  The highest level of education that any of my grandparents received was a high school diploma.  My maternal grandmother only received an 8th grade education.  However, they instilled in their children (my parents, uncles, and aunts) that they WILL receive a college education. There were no ifs, buts, or maybes about that.  And that was passed down to the grandchildren, as well.  All of my cousins have a bachelor's degree or in the process of obtaining one.

And not one single one of my cousins or relatives are in DEBT. You know why?  Let me reiterate...because we had the FULL SUPPORT of our families. They have supported us every single step of the way of our education...since day ONE.  Who do you think I called at 3 a.m. when I was going through an academic existential crisis...definitely wasn't Jana (sorry Jana....).

Okay, back on the counselor box.

I understand that not many families are like this and their are certain circumstances in which families can't be financial supportive of their children's college education.  I absolutely understand that.  And I am not saying that parents that don't financially support their children's pursuit of a college education are horrible parents.

I firmly believe that individuals who want to pursue a college education or more will find a way to do so.  I have many friends who have personally funded their college education by themselves and are debt free or have very minimal loans.

Now, on to the article.

Disclaimer, I read this article really fast, but there are somethings that I want to point out.

Quote:
“Most of these degrees are not intuitively worth it. They’re not gateways to the middle class,” says Jason Delisle, the study’s author. “Is a Master of Arts degree really worth $20,000 more than it was in 2004?” 

Response:
Job market wise, yes, this may be true.  I won't argue with statistics when it comes to this.  But "intuitively worth it?" Who are you to define what "worth it" means to a student pursuing a Master's degree?  The definition of "worth it" to you may not mean the same to another person.  For some people, getting a master's degree is "worth it."  I know for a definite fact that I am not going to be BANKING with my Master's degree in Counseling.  I will not COME CLOSE to what my mother (who is a nurse) is earning right now ($100,000+) in my lifetime as a counselor. And you know what, I am okay with that.  Because my profession is WORTH IT.

Okay, this article places part of the blame on the government.  Let me give you two others to blame: the students in the parents.  I'll get to the parents later.

Yes, I blame students for part of the whole situation.  I'm not saying all, but there are some students who should take responsibility for being in debt.  I can only use my experiences because, hey, who else can I use?  And I know my experience the best.  I did my RESEARCH....yes...RESEARCH when it came to pursuing my degree(s).  And I knew my limits...I knew that I probably could not afford out-of-state tuition, unless I wanted to go into head-high debt.  I know what my resources and my limits were when it came to my education.  Please know that before you going into anything. 

Also, be realistic and not be fooled my marketing strategies.  If the university says that "98% of our students find jobs after graduation," find out WHERE they are working.  Are they working at a place where it conforms to what they got their degree in...or are they working at a fast food place.  There is a difference. RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!!!

Be aware of the job market.  Realize I said be "aware of the job market."  I don't mean "be aware of the job market and switch to what is in demand." What I mean is that don't be disappointed if you don't jump into your profession right away because it's not in demand.  You may have to work somewhere else after you get a master's degree that does not necessarily coincide with what you got your masters in, that is okay...you have bills to pay and must stay afloat.  I can't say you will find a job in your field eventually, because I can't predict the future, but don't be a stuck up prick about it and show some humility.  You have to start somewhere.

Now parents, HELP YOUR CHILDREN OUT!  At this point, I mean fiscally.  I am not asking you to foot the tuition bill, or pay for rent, or pay for books...actually I am.  I know I may sound demanding, but too many of my friends have lived only off of Ramen and frozen pizzas.  If it means that you can pay for their groceries for that month, pay for at one textbook, or give them an extra $20...please, do it.  A little financial assistance goes a long way.  I know I am stepping out of line on this, but a pat on the back and "you can do it," can only go so far.  Mind you, I know parents are more knowledgeable about their children, so, be wise about it.  If they're clowning and acting a fool in college...please DO withhold financial assistance. 

I know there is a lot of things I don't understand when it comes to financing college because I grew up in a Filipino household with Filipino parents with Filipino values.  I'm not saying it's superior, but I know how it easy it can be when you have the backing and full support of families.  

I know I don't understand a lot of things about education and loans and obtaining a degree, because I know I had it easy.  If I offended people, that was never my attention.  I'm just tired of reading this and having people not take some personal responsibility about the situation.  I just needed to vent...

Disregard the typos...

Feel free to message me, you know how.

Until next time.

Video killed the radio star...

I seriously hate technology sometimes.  Honestly, I don't even know why I spend so much time on the internet anyways.  

I'm "on" facebook, but I only check it for a few minutes and then keep the page open as "background."  And aside from the occasional school assignment (honestly, I don't have a lot of times in which I have online assignments or tests), there is REALLY no reason why I'm on the internet for long periods of time.

I remember being happy to be able to spend only 1 - 2 hours on the internet.  But now (since it's not dial-up, anymore) I spend a lot of time on the internet.  

This whole tirade of post started on June 17.  On June 17, my whole apartment complex had a power outage. During this power outage, I was on my laptop and didn't have the battery attached to it, but it was plugged into the surge protector.  After about 30 minutes, the electricity came back on and then I turned my computer back on.  After a couple of moments of booting up...this showed up:

Pic. 1

However, a quick unplug, re-plug ethernet...I got this (disregard the dates on both the pictures):

Pic. 2

Sounds like a quick fix, right?  Well, just to make sure, I called Time Warner Cable and they assured me that  is normal when power outage goes out.

Okay, June 18...start up the laptop and I see pic. 2 (see above) after a few moments.

On June 19...after starting up my laptop and waiting for a few moments...I see pic. 1 (see above).  Again, unplug, re-plug ethernet and I see pic. 2.

And this is where we start having a bit of a trouble.  What happened on June 19 happened again on June 20-22, 24, 26-28, and today, the 30th.

I called Time Warner on the 21st, but the earliest they could send someone is on the 25.  Miraculously, on 25th, Time Warner system were down and the person coming over may be a bit delayed.  The guy did call me, and (sorry, i'm not high tech proficient) he said that the problem with my internet may have something to do with the switches and he was not authorized to mess with the switches?  However, he did say that a lot of  people in my apartment complex were having trouble with their internet so Time Warner were going to send someone on the 26 to fix the internet.  Well, if they did send someone on the 26 to fix the internet, it didn't fix mine.  Called Time Warner again and they were going to send someone on the 28.

So, on the 28, the guys from Time Warner came over.  They plugged in their ethernet chord into my wall and then attached it to their laptop.  They were also not getting internet connection, even though they checked the switches downstairs before they came up.  

One of the guys went back outside and did something and were, then, able to get internet.  They then restarted my computer.  However, my computer was taking a while to reboot...a REALLY long time.  After a lot of stuff (and my computer was starting to REALLY heat up with all the things they were trying to do to my computer) the Time Warner guys believe that the power outage may have corrupted some of the files on laptop and booted up my computer into a mode in which my computer can check if there were any problems and fix itself.  The guys did say that if that mode did find something wrong with my computer that it may be the reason why, but they didn't sound too sure about that themselves, it sounded like a possibility. 

At this point, I honestly hope it's not my laptop that is causing this.  That there isn't a virus or something on my laptop, because I honestly don't feel like spending money on someone to take out viruses or reformating my laptop.  

So, yeah, that's my long spiel about my internet woes.  And what is REALLY bothering me the most is that my internet problems is BOTHERING me.  And it really shouldn't.  It is such a 1st world problem and I feel like an absolute spoiled brat for worrying over something insignificant as having or not having internet.  

I mean, I can honestly just spend a few moments on internet, long enough to send assignments over the internet, facebook, twitter, and what not.  I really don't need to spend more than 2 hours on the internet.  I can spend the rest of the time watching TV or ACTUALLY reading a book.  

It's getting to a point that I feel ridiculous for feeling this way for having issues with my internet.  A bit of anxiety?

I was joking (seriously/not seriously) with my mother on the phone about seeking counseling over this.  But I told her that I may stump my counselor over this issues and may not get the help that I need.  

I'm not losing sleep over this and I'm very aware of the ridiculousness of my feelings.  

I just need to know why I need to constantly be doing what I've been doing for almost 2 weeks to just get internet!

*end rant*

Beginning of a New Chapter...

I HIGHLY apologize for not updating my blog in 2 1/2 months (if someone out there is actually reading this blog).  But I have a really great excuse!  For people that I know and follow this blog, you will know that I just started my life as a grad student.  

Between the summer of 2011 and 2012, I've been pretty much bumming off my parents and volunteering for CASA (which was a great experience by the way...).  I've always planned on going to grad school, but I never really knew what I wanted to study.  However, with volunteering with CASA (however short it was...) made me realize that I wanted to enter into a profession that helps people.  Therefore, I am now at The University of Texas at San Antonio pursuing a Master's degree in Counseling, with a focus on Community Counseling.  

I have A LONG tirade about the whole applying and accepting into the program (if you really want to know, just ask me)...but that is not why you are here.  From the end of July to now...i've been busy finding my apartment, getting things for my apartment, moving in, getting settled, program orientation, and finding a stable...err...rhythm (?) of my grad school life.  And i'm just now officially settled into my life.  

However, the semester is starting to really get going, with tests, research, papers, etc.  

That is why I decided to continue with this blog (hopefully?) to keep myself sane through these next 2 years.  This will be still be a smorgasbord of topics...but i'm planning to be a little bit more consistent with it.  

It'll be half  "Diary of a Grad Student" and "Whatever the Hell Comes to my Mind"...but expect Mon-Wed. to be more of "Diary" and Thur-Fri more of "My Mind."

To kick things off...I'm planning on starting the whole "Diary of a Grad Student" next week.  Tonight, i'm going to recap my 2 week stay in Europe this summer (which was partially AMAZING!!!).  

Stay tuned!