Recent Graduates and Student Loans: The Trials of December

One could argue that December is the most festive month of the year. Religious holidays are observed, vacations are taken and students have a respite from their school and course work. December 21st is the longest night of the year and marks the beginning of longer daylight hours. It is a month that marks the end of one year and the beginning of the next – a time for resolutions and a promise of new experiences. Celebrations abound, it is easy to forget that December also marks the end of the grace period and the beginning of student loan payments for those (like myself) who graduated 6 months earlier.

Managing college stress

After a month since returning to school, how are you doing?  Feeling any of that Syllabus Shock? Have you settled into routines of classes, dining hall hours, sports practice or music rehearsal or the on-campus job? For a lot of students, September is an exciting time of reconnecting with friends, meeting new people, signing up for clubs and committees. With so many opportunities offered to you at the start of each semester, it can be easy to overbook yourself and forget to leave time for, oh, I don’t know…sleep.  Exercise. Eating well. Studying, even.