Reality Check

Being abroad is kind of like an escape from the real world. I am mindlessly swiping my piece of plastic and planning trips to other countries, overlooking the fact that I am kind of broke. Fortunately, my personal bank (The Bank of Dad), has a no-penalty policy for overdraft fees. But once I return home, the frivolity ends and reality begins.

I am transferring back to Eugene Lang: The New School for Liberal Arts, and breathe a refreshing sigh of relief every time I think of returning to my small, undeniably hipster(y) college in downtown Manhattan. The only reason I ever left was to alleviate some of the financial burden. But unable to stay confined within Stony Brook's middle-of-nowhere campus and aching to be shoved into buildings by quick-stepped New Yorkers racing down the sidewalk, I am taking on the staggering tuition fee independently. Meaning, I'll need to take out student loans, which consequently translates into debt.

Just two semesters shouldn't be a problem. I'll make it back in a year, easy. But after coming across an article from The Wall Street Journal, I'm not feeling so assured: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703389004575033063806327030.html

Does this mean I should expect to pay way more than I'll be told? Will there be absurd inflation rates if I don't go through the "right" company or allow for adjustable payment terms? I just learned how to make pasta, this seems like too big of a leap. As money-conscious students, what do we do?