^ That's mostly true. Although I got a bit lucky because I got scholarships in Undergrad so instead of having $175,000 debt, I only had $10,000. But now I am in dental school, my first year cost me $52,000 alone. This year I requalified as a CT resident and only had to pay $45,000. I'll pay that for the next 2 yrs too.

But, for me, it actually DOES pay off because I'll eventually be an endodontist or periodontist. The endodontist I shadow makes over $500,000 a year. So paying off my debts will be easy! Dentists have the highest payback rate of any "profession." (med vs. law vs. dent). Doctors have such a tough time paying things back bc insurance companies control medicine now, and by extension, the money docs make. Dentistry thankfully isn't like that!

But I suppose I am more the exception than the rule.... And Sissa's right, you still suffer while you pay them! LoL!

** was in the area so I just popped in , to say hello to everyone***

It is said that dreams actually do mean something.. My mother has a book
on dreams and their meanings..And some of the dreams and meanings are
really interesting...

Talking about loans and such? I haven't had too much so far in my undergrad, just a couple thousand per year (which I know it does add up), but due to scholarships and whatnot, i was able to keep it reasonable. Unfortunately, for graduate school, it will be about $30,000 per year of loans that I need, so estimate that by the time I finish my schooling in 2010, then I'll have about $80,000 in loans to pay off.

the good news is that I'm a Physical Therapy major, so assuming that I get a job right out of school, then one of my loans the perkin's - I only have to make 3 payments on and then it will start deducting itself - the advantage of being in the medical profession.
Also, physical therapists are now starting at I think its around $70,000 per year, which should continue to rise, especially as the degree when most students leave is now doctorate. So even though I will have a ton of loans, within 5-10 years, I should have them paid off or down to a reasonable amount at least.

Wow, the cost of education can be high. Both of you (Tiffanie and Jess) are entering good occupations, though, so I don't think you will have any problems with paying your loans back.

How is everyone's weekend going?

My weekend is incredibly boring, spent studying the pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system... and then today at some point I need to complete a take-home midterm... gross.

My weekend's been pretty good, I always get a lot of stuff done whether it's the weekend or a normal day. Sometimes, it would be good just to have a day of rest - gee, but I like to keep busy, I'd probably be bored if I wasn't! Today I want to check out a travel fair, they are giving away prizes like cruises and that sort of thing (only a few) and I want to try and enter and win something, plus there are travel discounts and tips so it's kind of fun. Then I need to take down and put away all my Christmas decorations in the storage room (since I was gone last weekend and working all week it kind of got neglected!)

Hope you guys are all having fun!

wow!!all the best!!

Cheese ravioli are yuuuuuuuuummmmmy! But once they're gone, I have to start that midterm and that is yuuuuuuuuuucky

Linda - have you ever been on a cruise? They're so much fun! I hope you win one!

Tiffanie - Yes, I have! And I agree, it's something everyone should do. It is surprising what a great value they are for the price, you get all your food, lodging and entertainment included, after all. I thought I would be bored, but that was far from the case. I'm ready to go again! (This was a cruise to the Mexican Riviera - we went to Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Zihuataneja and Cabo San Lucas, much to do in every port and it was so much fun!)

Cruises are a must do for everyone!

I completely intend to go on another cruise as soon as possible. Jeff and I had such a great time on our cruise to the Bahamas. It was beautiful and we had so much fun. We did an 18-mile bike ride around one of the islands and it was amazing. So beautiful! And then we went snorkeling at blue lagoon and took a bunch of underwater pictures. So much fun! I can't wait to go on another cruise, though I'm undecided where I want to go next!

hey everybody