Campus Ick

The staircase at the MSB building  

For the three years I’ve spent studying at UoW, I have never had any complaints about places on campus except for when the Pā was still under construction, and we had to use those long ahh stairs outside of the MSB building.  

Allocated inconveniently between Orchard Park and the campus, it is no exaggeration to compare the stairs to a stairway to heaven. Each step is a struggle for people with big feet and limited foot space. I tripped not only once but twice during my first year and continue to do so to this day. Maybe it’s a me problem, but hey, I’ve learned to use my free will. 

 

This vs That

This: Financial freedom 

In a digital world where everything is displayed and romanticized online, many young adults are learning how to spend money wisely. Could you lose yourself in the process? Like everyone, I volunteer as a tribute to the underconsumption trend and avoid going out to prevent money-spending hangouts.  

I am writing this to dedicate to a friend of mine who is struggling to survive in this economy while building his own world. Nothing too flashy—many young adults choose to live a life under a rock, restricting themselves with hopes of being wealthy one day. The truth is, those who are privileged are much more likely to engage in saving than those who aren’t. Growing up privileged, I learned how to save at a young age, but it cost me literally nothing since my family and friends cover most of my expenses, which has allowed me to save most of my income. The point is financial freedom nowadays is more than just saving. It is paid tuition, paid rent, paid groceries, tax reliefs, AND savings.  

That: Youthfulness 

Most of the underprivileged kids I knew had to pay for their own rent, food, and daily necessities. There is literally nothing on Earth that costs more than the cost of living. But you only live once, right? Now, picture this: you go to the bookstore with your friends, dressed nicely and chatting over a cup of coffee. Sounds good? No. The transportation, clothes, coffee, mobile data, and worst-case scenario – the book you’ve been eyeing for a while that’s in the store – might cost you up to $100 just to step outside and enjoy yourself. But if you decide to stay behind closed doors, you’ll be labeled as no-fun and lame. What a joke. 

Since I moved abroad, I’ve learned more about how society is treating young adults, pushing them to the edge of living paycheck to paycheck. Maybe if some of the older generations out there are reading this, they can stop complaining about how my generation is lazy and realize that many of us are already juggling 2-3 jobs while worrying about our future. We are just trying to enjoy our time while it lasts.