Working to pay off debts

While navigating Stagweb the other day, I noticed an announcement regarding a scholarship opportunity for the Class of 2008.

I also noticed how much debt I am going to be in after graduating from Fairfield.

I feel it is important to point out why many of us choose to work a few hours a week in various offices on campus, when we could be using this time to complete overdue assignments or catch up on sleep.

As a high school senior, I was more disorganized than I am now. Naturally, the whole college process for me was characterized by applications spewed across my bedroom floor, lost among a bevy of clothes and books.

I applied late to Fairfield even though it was one of my top three choices, after Brown University (I’m not bitter) and NYU. My application was received late and I became ineligible for any academic grants.

Although it would be hard financially for me to attend Fairfield, my parents supported my decision and I accepted the fact that I would be paying off loans for the rest of my life.

Long story short, I have a job on campus.

My freshmen year, I was granted a work-study job in the math department. As many of you don’t know, I suffer math anxiety, so I rarely showed up.

This of course, was a mistake, but in reality, I was just too busy adjusting to college life and my tough schedule to have to worry about making money.

Needless to say, the next year my work-study was taken away. I suppose the Financial Aid office discovered that my parents were hiding millions of dollars under their mattress.

With less money being given to me, I had to go out and find my own job, and soon began working at both the RecPlex and Jazzman’s Café.

To this day, I continue to work at Jazzman’s whenever I have a spare moment (sorry guys, I haven’t been in awhile, I’m SO busy!).

Working on campus has taught me the importance of time management and the value of financial responsibility.

Looking back, I realize I should have been more organized when applying to schools, and more sensitive to my family’s financial situation.

It is certainly a struggle for myself, as well as many other students, to attend this school, but this does not stop us from continuing to be leaders on campus while working hard to make a little extra cash on the side.

I can only hope that in the future Fairfield will grant more money to students in need of financial assistance, building a socio-economically diverse community.