If Books Grew on Trees

It isn't hard to see that there is a problem with continuing educa- tion beyond high school: The gov- ernment will respond in their usual way to the actions taken by a modest amount of UPEI's students who protested and caused headaches for those in the downtown government buildings two weeks ago. I often wonder if that is all that can be offered towards furthering educa- tion.

It is understandable that not everyone is into activism, but with a topic that is so closely related to acquiring higher education, you would think that there would be more interest. My proverbial hat goes off to those who took time out of their busy schedules to participate and voice the mounting student con- cerns -- especially to those with Twisted Sister solos.

Even though the meeting with the Minister of Education was abrupt due to her prior commit- ments, there were many student opinions put forth about possible ways to ease our burdens. One stu- dent raised the point that he has accumulated a huge list of jobs on his resume in order to afford the increased tuition fees, while the response was that you have to devote a lot more than just the knowledge you receive to complete university. I personally was appalled; with such reliance on the farming, fishing and tourism indus-

_tries on Prince Edward Island, any- one who has searched for a job over the winter months understands that finding one is not an easy task. Personally speaking, the ability to obtain a job that pays well enough while still being fulfilling to the employee is a rarity in the summer,

let alone during the snow-stricken months of winter.

I may be sympathetic towards those who have to support themselves while attending universi- ty only because I personally know the feeling all too well. Being an independent student who only has a fixed income based on the farming season has caused many obstacles during my quest for post-secondary education. Since the beginning of this semester I have been wait-

aspirations -- I did not want to extend my hands again only to feel the harsh reality that was placed in them a few days prior.

So, like any logical person bursting at the seams with stress, I sought currency from a line. Since university doesn't mix well with unemployment, my only option was a line of credit to fill the space between. While it was a minor prob- lem for myself to obtain the credit, I

think of those

“With the relief from who do not have

ing on a littlemidterms flowing over me the credit rating bundle of joy, jike a euphoric drug I to allow for this,

although to my recollection I was

could now finally relax not and check up on the sta-

and those attend- ing school from other provinces

informed that ittus of my student loan.” who have to trav-

needed this much time to develop.

Any university student around knows the hassles and headaches that sprout from student loans. Everyone has heard a student loan horror story or two, but I have had the intimate privilege of living one. It all began with the release of the same information in triplicate, and continued on to the allotment of a semester’s travel allowance sub- stantial enough only for a moped. It then progressed to the stressful wait- ing for when my loan papers would arrive at UPEI, to their eventual dis- appearance into the Bermuda Triangle -- or so it seemed. It is understandable that paper work does take some time, I am not here to argue that, but I wish to bring to light the question of how someone is expected to survive during this wait- ing period. No more than a week and a half ago I took the incentive to swallow my pride (instead of drop- ping out of my courses due to my lack of resources) and fall back onto the government to be my savior. Since then I have been having major issues with the relation of my future

el home to obtain forms of credit for their education. With the weight of the financial bur- dens lifted off of my shoulders I was able to focus on the reason for all

‘this extra stress: my courses. With

midterms only a few days away I spent a bulk of my time reading from books that were at least four editions out of date, but were my

only chance of grasping the material covered on the upcoming tests. Although I haven't received any marks back, I have a greater appreci- ation of the early 1990's university student and their infatuation with Ace of Base, which was well docu- mented throughout my study materi- al.

With the relief from midterms flowing over me like a euphoric drug I could now finally relax and check up on the status of my student loan. With a quick call | found out that my loan papers were send out on December 26th, but did not arrive at UPEI until recently. | imagined my loan papers travelling to the places I wish I had been able to visit over spring break, but awoke from my daydream to the reality of grading potatoes in order to afford food and oil. Not every university experience is similar to mine, but | know that there are those who also understand that you can end up with the same education with a few cents in late fees from the library instead of $XX,XXX for a framed piece of

paper.

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UPEI Cadre February 24, 2004 page 10