There are two universities in this town. One for the poor and middle class kids...
and one for the rich kids and a few very fortunate, gifted poor kids. A state school and a private school. I'm a 41 year old senior and I go to the state school part time.
My wife and I were at a restaurant this evening where a bunch of students from the rich school had congregated after a home football game. There must have been at least 60 of them in there. They were all drinking and socializing and having a good time.
A pang of jealousy hit me. Ah, to be 21 again. Not only that, to be that young, well off, and to have your shit together. I bet most of them don't know how good they have it.
My wife and I work full time and together our incomes total enough to put us in the lower middle class. I have never made more than $55,000 in a year and I make a lot less than that now. Yep, I work in a small town where there's little opportunity...HEY! My goal is to get a job that puts us solidly in the middle class while allowing my wife to quit her current job and do as she pleases. It's old fashioned, I know, but it's what we both want.
But here's to the rich kids. I hope everything goes well for you. If you ever need inspiration to stay in school, just give me a holler and I'll show you around.
= new reply since forum marked as read
You're right: they don't know how lucky they are.
But you are fully aware of where you are, and what it took to get there...
I think getting/finishing one's education later in life makes it more sweet. Very, very few 20-somethings really "get" life yet, and usually spend most of their time at school partying and drinking. They don't understand what a privilege it is to be in their position...
Whereas when you get your degree, you will relish every last bit of what it took to get there. It will be no small accomplishment BECAUSE you weren't rich and your road to the finish line was a bit more bendy than others.
Hang in there.
