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.
Facts:
- 71% of all students who have graduated from a four-year college have student loan debt (Institute, 2014).
- The class of 2014 has an average of $33,000 in student loan debt (Wall Street Journal, 2014).
A debt of $33,000 from a bachelor’s degree seems like a dream if you went to a private University (as I did) where most of my peers have graduated with a debt that is closer to $100k.
When you are applying to colleges in high school, it is extremely difficult to fully conceptualize the amount of money you are borrowing and you can feel immobilized and helpless when it comes time to start making your monthly payments. Transitioning from your life as a student to one as a young professional is difficult enough but it can quickly become overwhelming when combined with the reality of a monthly payment that will follow you for the next several decades.
Thankfully, as daunting as those statistics above are, one thing is very clear. You are not alone. You are not even a minority. The vast majority of students have student debt and support is available. You are not defined by what you owe and working with the clinicians from Insight Psychotherapy can be the first step towards lightening your burdens while securing a path for your emotional well-being. For more information about life transitions and financial stress find a clinician that suits you best on our Providers Page, call 617-834-4235 or email us at info@insightbrookline.com
The Institute for College Access & Success. 2014. Quick Facts about Student Debt. http://bit.ly/1lxjskr.
The Wall Street Journal. May 16,2014. “Congratulations to class of 2014, Most Indebted Ever”. http://blogs.wsj.com/numbers/congatulations-to-class-of-2014-the-most-indebted-ever-1368/
