Last night, the university’s Financial Aid office sent me a friendly note saying “Kid, your degree’s taken too long too long; we’re cutting you off. Merry Christmas, have a $2500 debt!”
There’s no telling why they chose two days before Christmas to bear these good tidings. Why not when school was in still session? Why not MONTHS ago when I filled out a FAFSA?
The Financial Aid office informs me that my degree is .974 completed. I have a mere three classes left (one of which will only last for two weeks), and those classes will cost me $2500. Shafted much?
I did not cry. I didn’t swear. When the going got tough, this toughie:
1) Hightailed it to work. Golly gee whiz do I need that minimum wage
2) Re-read Sarah Von’s advice for handling breakdowns
3) Played Superfly, a classic distraction. That game’s so maddening, it’s almost a pleasure to return to my real-life problems.
Right now, I’m packing my bags for a quick tis-the-season trip to Tucson. There I will continue to breathe deeply, think happy thoughts, and stave off my encroaching doom.
When I return on Boxing Day, I’ll hunker down with a well-worn copy of the book that has truly changed my life. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you all about it.
God rest ye merry, readership; let nothing you dismay.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!
See you later.
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH indeed!
But isn’t it marvelous how tragedy makes a good blog?
If I strike oil you’re at the top of my list for sending out fat checks…
meanwhile I could sure use some help with your origami step-by-step star….are there a dozen steps missing or something?
love you!
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NOOOO!!!
I’m sure you’ll figure this out. Enjoy your trip and God rest ye, merry as well.
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Ugh! I’m sorry. :(
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College sucks exquisiely in numberless ways, does it not? Ahhh, but now you have your own version of having to walk 8 miles to school in the snow uphill both way to recite to your kids years from now while they roll their eyes… LoL
Seriously, that bites big time, I’m sorry. :( At least it was only your last semester and not something like your last year, eh? Hang in there, and btw if you want to cry about it, I think you would be plenty justified. ((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))
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Love your blog. (Have I mentioned that?) Never dull!
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Andrew – Academia’s been FAR crueler to you than me.
mum – You caught me; only now did I test the star instructions. I think the words “glue repeatedly” belong in panel five, I can’t keep the pieces together otherwise.
Dylan G – See? You ARE sympathetic.
Phoebe – Thanks, I appreciate it.
Sierra – Perfect! “Why, when I was your age I had to.. pay for a small fraction of my education! Kids these days don’t know real suffering!”
Jen – You ol’ flatterer!
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Boo… I am not a fan of Fin. Aid…
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If somebody called me and told me MY student debt was only $2500, I’d cry tears of joy.
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Rebekah Reply:
January 17th, 2010 at 4:43 AM
Ah, but if they told you “Oh, your debt’s $2500 higher now!” or “That money we said we gave you? We’re taking it back” you’d be markedly less excited.
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