Late nights studying – or at least sometimes. Activities, committees,clubs, sports, a social life, and school. All of this plus food and sleep- which is also rare – is part of a typical college student’s life. Sowhen do we breathe? Never. Ok, not never, but it is sparatic. It is evenmore spairingly if we have a financial concern on our mind too, to goalong with all the homework, meetings, and practices.Most students do not have the time to have a part- time job once they areat the collegiate level. So how are they paying for school? Well some areon scholarships, some have their parents or other family memebers helping,but most students these days rely on some form of financial aid, whetherit is for their entire bill or just a portion.I myself rely on financial aid to help me pay for my schooling. I comefrom a single parent household and I am trying to do my best for my momright now because she went through college taking care of me on her own. Iknow that all parents want their kids to be better off than they were, soso far we have accomplished that, but I do not beleive my mom should haveto pay every cent of my tuition and costs for school. Nor does she havethat capability.Now I know that many people take out loans and then think “OK, no morestress over that.” But then what do you think will happen down the roadwhen you have much greater decisions to make than what meal plan to be onthis year? Soon we will have families, mortgages, and other expenses thatcome with adulthood. I know many people in college STILL don’t have to payfor their car insurance or their phone bill. Well I do, and I believe thatit is going to help me so much more to be prepared now instead of beingstranded “without a paddle” later.The financial aid office here at USI is almost always full of visitors.The only reaosn it may not be would be if it were closed. Otherwise thereare students in there day in and day out that really truly need theirhelp. I don’t know about other’s experiences, but mine have all beenextremely stressful and unhelpful. I know they obviously have a lot ontheir hands with people coming and going constantly, but a little smileand compassion can go a long way people.Hopefully as the school year continues the ways of the financial aidoffice will be more efficient, but for now can we at least try to beconsiderate of the students and their families that come in seeking helpfrom you? It isn’t much to ask. I mean after all, no matter how it getspaid for, all we physically receive is a piece of paper. That is worth$.10. But the knowledge that we gain at this institution and the careeerswe may embark on after we walk across that stage and receieve that pieceof paper, that is priceless.