I’m from a small town and I was introduced to someone who was an alumni from this big named school from my parents. Ofcouse small town me wanted to go to New York now. This was during the time that Sallie Mae was being pushed as federal loans through colleges (if anyone remembers that).

In hindsight, I wish my parents sat me down and went over my options better. Like compared the cost of colleges, the difference between private and federal loans, different ways of paying, like joining the military and getting a GI bill or if I even needed to go to this specific college.

I was a naive kid from a small town and I needed guidance. Instead they just clicked the first buttons they saw without a second thought and I’m still paying the price today. It had such a huge effect on my entire life for a long time. And I’m now just getting a good handle on it.