no point in life?

[tmcdmck]

small point: are you sure there is no way to reduce your loan (other than paying it back, obviously)? things like getting a consolidation loan. hell, are you sure you can't declare bankruptcy or something?

[Henry17]

Declaring bankruptcy is a loser thing to do. Even if it gets someone out of financial issues the damage it does to them as a person is much worse. Self-respect will be shot for life.

[meisce]

Wow. I'm normally a lurker par excellence but this rang true for me.

I was living in Ireland, dropped out of college at 21 when I realised what I'd chosen wasn't for me. Had to move home for a bit and was stuck working a dead end job trying to pay off huge debts.

it was depressing as hell.

After a while ( and much looking ) I found a college course I found interesting. Second time around everything seemed easier...combination of doing something I could see benefiting me and maturity. Life experience I was able to apply to the course.

Long story short I'm happily married, debt paid off ( have a mortgage tho ), and living in sunny California now.

Going back to school is not for everyone, but what I gained was a sense of achievement and self-belief that's still with me.

[kidpokeher]