Graduation Didn’t Feel Like Freedom
When I graduated, I thought I was supposed to feel proud.
I was…but at the same, I got reminded of the daunting fact that I was starting adulthood with $60,000 of education debt. My parents have always held the traditional mindset of viewing kids as investments (& that’s a story for another day 🥲). I didn’t want to go to university but they emphasised the importance of it so I eventually gave in to that fantasy. Little did I know, the loan was taken under my name 😩. Even when they had the finances to fund my education. Because they believed that these funds are meant for their retirement and if I ever refused to pay them back… I’ll be branded as “unfilial”.
20 yo me didn’t realise that signing that piece of paper would set me ten steps behind when I graduated. Fast forward three years later; I remember looking at that number, thinking… how did I finish school, do everything I was supposed to do, yet still feel like I was already behind??? I was frustrated and lost. I always felt a part of me resenting my parents. It felt like they set me up for debt. They’ve always held finances against me, especially when they felt like I was misbehaving or not up to their standards, threatening to cut off certain things they were paying for 🤷🏼♀️
While my peers were talking about graduation photos, taking a gap year to travel around the world to ‘figure themselves out’ before committing to a lifelong process of adulthood (must be nice 🥲)… I was thinking about how long it would take me to pay everything back 😵💫
I always dreamt of having my own place. A safe haven I could call my own. Travelling around the world with my partner. But every dream of mine shattered every time I thought of settling my debt. As harsh as it is - money really does buy happiness. It buys opportunities, freedom, choices, time. At least that’s what I believe in. And these things, I value the most. I can blame it on how I was raised, the values that were instilled in me, but nothing changes the fact that IM IN DEBT. And nobody can save me except for myself.
Now, should I throw every spare dollar into the debt? Should I still save? Was I even allowed to think about investing when I owed so much?
Honestly, I didn’t have everything figured out. Believe me when I say I was crying almost every day during my final year of uni. Props to my partner for handling my breakdowns🥹🫰🏻Also bc my parents were already hounding me for the sum before I even graduated 🤣 (I briefly talked about it in my tt and a lot of people came forward to empathise & share abt their own situation) 😶
This debt forced me to stop avoiding my finances. I realised that NOBODY was going to care about my money more than me — not my school, not my future employer, and not the people who told me that getting a degree was simply the “right thing to do”.
My biggest lesson was that being in debt doesn’t mean you’ve failed!!! But pretending the debt isn’t there won’t make it disappear either. You gotta face the music someday!!!
So if you’re in the same situation, I know how it feels 🥹
‼️Here’s what you NEED to know‼️
1. Know how much you owe
2. When you need to settle it by
3. How much interest you’re paying
4. What you can realistically repay
5. How much cash you need to set aside for emergencies
6. Strategise how you can get there
I was working three jobs at once and none of my uni friends even knew 😂 they just thought I was always tired (maybe I was bc life felt like it really sucked back then). If you have the will, you have a way!!!!
I’m still proud of my degree 🤭💅🏻 but I just wish someone had prepared me for the financial reality that came with it.
Did graduation feel like freedom to you or did it feel like the beginning of a completely different kind of stress? Share and we can discuss!! 🫂
P.S. I settled my loan in a year+ using savings I earned from part-time jobs/gigs and invested with a goal in mind 😭(it’s not easy rly…) my DMs are open and we can hv a h2h talk!!
#AdultingSG #UniversityLife #EducationDebt #MoneyTips #RealTalk
Graduating with a significant student loan debt can feel like an overwhelming burden rather than a celebratory milestone. From my personal experience, the $60,000 debt I carried shadowed every decision I made after university. It becomes clear how vital it is to approach financial planning with awareness and strategy right from the start. One practical step I found helpful was treating my debt repayment like a monthly bill—not something vague or distant, but an essential expense to prioritize. I set up a detailed budget, balancing the need to pay down debt while still covering basic living costs and a small emergency fund. This prevented me from feeling completely deprived or stressed over unexpected expenses. Another insight from my journey is the importance of open conversations about money, especially when family expectations complicate matters. While my parents adhered to strict views about money and repayment, I realized that establishing boundaries and clear communication about my financial situation and goals was crucial to reducing emotional strain. Many graduates think that investing or saving is out of reach while still in debt. However, even small contributions to savings or investments can build a safety net and grow over time. After stabilizing my debt repayments, I started investing cautiously, which gave me a sense of control and hope for future financial freedom. For those facing similar situations, remember to: 1. Document all your debts, interest rates, and repayment deadlines. 2. Create a realistic repayment plan that includes emergency savings. 3. Don’t hesitate to seek support—whether from financial advisors, mentors, or peer groups. 4. Prioritize your mental health alongside financial goals; debt stress can impact well-being significantly. Paying off debt is not a marker of failure but a challenge many young adults face. Taking ownership and learning financial literacy early can transform this daunting stage into a stepping stone toward independence and empowerment. Though my path was tough, working multiple part-time jobs and managing emotional pressures, each step taught me resilience and self-worth beyond debt. Graduation may not have felt like freedom then, but confronting my debt head-on helped me reclaim that freedom eventually.
60k debt paid in a year +? how much was it from original savings? and how much was made from part time job? bcs 60k a year paid is actually amazing but hard to replicate