I went to college for 5 years to get my Bachelors of Science in Marketing, plus 2 more years at a design school to get certified as an Art Director.
I have student loans.
I wish my mother could’ve afforded to send me to college by writing a check. I wish I didn’t still have a bill years after college graduation. I wish someone would’ve talk to me about debt & student loans my senior year of high school.
Things would be different for me if they did. (Reason #1)
One of my favorite sayings is, “Prevention is better than solution.” This can help in so many areas of your life. Financial preparation is no different.
My friend, Shatavia Elder, wrote this amazing book about her experiences with student loans. It’s more than just an experience, but also self-revelations about her mindset towards money.
This is the type of book, lessons, and power we as youth and young adults should have had a class on before we left high school. Guidance counselors could have taken it a step farther and had private meetings about this information. Schools should have set up sessions with parents and their children to make sure that they know what they are getting into.
Student loans.
The thing is, I wouldn’t have graduated college without student loans. It’s just that simple. My mom didn’t have the money to send me to school. Honestly, my mom didn’t even believe I was going to college because she couldn’t afford it, but that is another post & story I can share later.
I made it through Alabama State University with some financial aid & loans.
There are millions others like me, so I am not downing loans. What I do wish I would’ve known, was that there were other options & assistance. Also, that once I get a loan – how to pay it back quicker. (Reason #2)
This book would have been IT for me! It could be IT for your high schooler too!
Here are my two cents about Student Loans are the Devil:
As a college grad (who still has loans – which is actually my only debt) & a vision to pay them off, this book resonates big time. I am also a mom. It resonates with me as a mother about making sure my children have a strong sense of self as they grow up and not get caught into a cycle.
Student Loans are the Devil makes me ponder on where I currently am as I attempt to impact others, in my circle and beyond.
One thing that stands out in Student Loans are the Devil is purpose. Author, Shatavia Elder, shares about her own journey with finding her purpose which makes a major shift in her life. Through her experience as an award winning educator & youth purpose coach, she shows young adults how to tap into their inner feeling & voice early so as they enter college they will make better decisions.
My favorite quote from her book is from Myles Munroe, “Ignorance of a purpose does not cancel purpose. It just goes left unknown. When the purpose of a thing is left unknown, abuse is inevitable.” Wow!
How does that quote speak to you? It speaks volumes to me.
When you know the purpose of a thing, it will be used correctly & you will get the best use out if it. What is the purpose of your life?
This Book is Not Just for Young Adults
For many people our age, we already have student loans – so this book will push us to face our issues head on and us to stop acting like they aren’t there. But again as parents, it can help us prepare our children & let us partner with them to think out of the box when it comes time to attend school & paying for it. (Reason #3)
My honest thoughts are, it should be required reading for college freshman before they get locked into those credit card companies and a life of debt.
Get the book on amazon or her website.
Do you have student loans? How long have you been paying on them? Would you would have did anything differently regarding money as a youth?
