Help Michael Pay Off College
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Hello everybody,
My name is Michael Harlan and I'm setting up this campaign to find assistance in paying off my student loans so I can start moving forward in life, pursuing my dreams and aspirations. I graduated from the University of Kentucky after 5 consecutive years of study, completing both a Bachelor's of Science in Biology and Japanese. I am currently employed as a call center representative for Student Loan Support as of Late-April and will be using a majority of what I earn to pay off my tuition. As of graduating, my student loans have been consolidated for a total of 31,419$ in both sub/unsub loans, and will increase to approximately thirty-three thousand by this fall.
So first off I'd like to talk a bit about my life story and my goals. I am the eldest of three siblings, all born in California and raised in Kentucky. Since back in grade school I have always aimed at excelling in my studies and even now continuing to work as hard as possible. Two of my major drawbacks I had back then were a lack of attention towards my personal aspirations and being an oppressive perfectionist. Both of which would spell out problems throughout life, but problems I am continuing to resolve and grow through as life progresses.
Initially, I had gone to college to get into pharmacy, but subconsciously lacked the desire and resolve to pursue being a pharmacist as a lifelong career. The basis for even wanting to pursue pharmacy was a result of my sensitivity around the lack of money that had built up from a young age. Due to growing up in a low-income family and learning to live life in a minimalistic fashion, I had developed a very negative outlook on life and depression early in life. All the environmental pressure and expectations became excuses to push myself in the wrong direction, avoiding any risk of a failed future. Towards the end of my Junior year, being unable to cover the costs of attending pharmacy college became apparent. Additionally, I started to break mentally from both school related and life related anxiety. I had decided to give up attending pharmacy school, finish out my degree in Biology, and pick up a Minor in Japanese.
After four years I decided to attend UKY for a fifth year to complete both a degree in Biology and in Japanese, all with the idea of teaching English overseas to pay off college. Unfortunately, by the end of my graduating year I had discovered that I wasn't accepted into the JET program, likely due to not checking the supply of printer ink myself as part of the documents turned out too lightly. Furthermore, I would have had to decline regardless as the overall cost of going overseas and boarding were out of reach. Jobs weren't exactly available in a small area, let alone being unable to afford working elsewhere.
Fortunately, by the end of the 2013, I started getting treated for depression in addition to finding a more effective treatment for my ADHD. The next several months were better times, albeit times that wouldn't last long. I started getting into art the following year, and in the process making several good friends to learn from and alongside with. However, by the time June hit the negative pressure of not having a job made life difficult as I wasn't contributing anything to my household. Trying to learn something else after being expected to make something of my college education only created guilt. As a result, I fell into despair and since then been in hiatus. Up until late December I had been beating myself up emotionally, spending time on a multitude of Mobage to keep myself distracted.
By the end of December I almost had a second breakdown from my father's negative pressure, and could only see two paths available. Thankfully I made the right decision back then and decided to explain practically everything to my parents, and have been trying to move forward since. I was so determined to build a healthier mindset that I started reading any self-help book I could get a hold of as well as Outliers by Malcom Gladwell and The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. One of the most life changing books I had the opportunity to read was The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. And while my present state of mind may not be perfect, my confidence and outlook on life over the past few months well exceed that of years past.
Through a new sense of confidence I found employment not far from where I live in no time. I'm also quite thankful to my Aunt for recommending me to a company. While I haven't completely got myself fixated into a schedule around my new job, I'm planning to spend a majority of my free time and days off studying art. And while finding an art career may take many years at this rate, I'm confident I'll be able to move towards my aspirations the quicker I can pay off my student loans. I've already set my mind on coming up with one grand monthly to put towards paying my tuition off.
By May of next year, I'm determined to pay off the entirety of my student loans. By doing so, I can start saving up to go overseas. Once I'm able to afford it, I plan to attend a digital illustration school in Japan for 2 to 3 years, such as JAM or the Osaka Designer's College. Additionally, I want to find the opportunity to work as a comic artist's assistant while in Japan. Of course, the cost of attending school overseas completely out of pocket isn't going to come cheap. When the time comes I'll be more than prepared to find employment teaching English if the situation calls for it. Realistically, I'm planning to pay off my tuition bills within the next three years if worse comes to worse. That way I can focus on saving up to start attending school overseas at least five years from now. Patience is a virtue, and I'll be more than glad to work hard until I can meet my goals.
I hadn't planned on typing up a novella when starting this campaign, but I wanted to properly relay my situation as honestly as possible. To anyone that took the time out to read the entirety of this campaign, you have my gratitude twice over. While I may not be able to do much in return for everyone's generosity, I truly am grateful for any help I'm able to receive. If you do have any questions or feel that I may be able to give you advice on life, feel free to ask away.
My name is Michael Harlan and I'm setting up this campaign to find assistance in paying off my student loans so I can start moving forward in life, pursuing my dreams and aspirations. I graduated from the University of Kentucky after 5 consecutive years of study, completing both a Bachelor's of Science in Biology and Japanese. I am currently employed as a call center representative for Student Loan Support as of Late-April and will be using a majority of what I earn to pay off my tuition. As of graduating, my student loans have been consolidated for a total of 31,419$ in both sub/unsub loans, and will increase to approximately thirty-three thousand by this fall.
So first off I'd like to talk a bit about my life story and my goals. I am the eldest of three siblings, all born in California and raised in Kentucky. Since back in grade school I have always aimed at excelling in my studies and even now continuing to work as hard as possible. Two of my major drawbacks I had back then were a lack of attention towards my personal aspirations and being an oppressive perfectionist. Both of which would spell out problems throughout life, but problems I am continuing to resolve and grow through as life progresses.
Initially, I had gone to college to get into pharmacy, but subconsciously lacked the desire and resolve to pursue being a pharmacist as a lifelong career. The basis for even wanting to pursue pharmacy was a result of my sensitivity around the lack of money that had built up from a young age. Due to growing up in a low-income family and learning to live life in a minimalistic fashion, I had developed a very negative outlook on life and depression early in life. All the environmental pressure and expectations became excuses to push myself in the wrong direction, avoiding any risk of a failed future. Towards the end of my Junior year, being unable to cover the costs of attending pharmacy college became apparent. Additionally, I started to break mentally from both school related and life related anxiety. I had decided to give up attending pharmacy school, finish out my degree in Biology, and pick up a Minor in Japanese.
After four years I decided to attend UKY for a fifth year to complete both a degree in Biology and in Japanese, all with the idea of teaching English overseas to pay off college. Unfortunately, by the end of my graduating year I had discovered that I wasn't accepted into the JET program, likely due to not checking the supply of printer ink myself as part of the documents turned out too lightly. Furthermore, I would have had to decline regardless as the overall cost of going overseas and boarding were out of reach. Jobs weren't exactly available in a small area, let alone being unable to afford working elsewhere.
Fortunately, by the end of the 2013, I started getting treated for depression in addition to finding a more effective treatment for my ADHD. The next several months were better times, albeit times that wouldn't last long. I started getting into art the following year, and in the process making several good friends to learn from and alongside with. However, by the time June hit the negative pressure of not having a job made life difficult as I wasn't contributing anything to my household. Trying to learn something else after being expected to make something of my college education only created guilt. As a result, I fell into despair and since then been in hiatus. Up until late December I had been beating myself up emotionally, spending time on a multitude of Mobage to keep myself distracted.
By the end of December I almost had a second breakdown from my father's negative pressure, and could only see two paths available. Thankfully I made the right decision back then and decided to explain practically everything to my parents, and have been trying to move forward since. I was so determined to build a healthier mindset that I started reading any self-help book I could get a hold of as well as Outliers by Malcom Gladwell and The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. One of the most life changing books I had the opportunity to read was The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. And while my present state of mind may not be perfect, my confidence and outlook on life over the past few months well exceed that of years past.
Through a new sense of confidence I found employment not far from where I live in no time. I'm also quite thankful to my Aunt for recommending me to a company. While I haven't completely got myself fixated into a schedule around my new job, I'm planning to spend a majority of my free time and days off studying art. And while finding an art career may take many years at this rate, I'm confident I'll be able to move towards my aspirations the quicker I can pay off my student loans. I've already set my mind on coming up with one grand monthly to put towards paying my tuition off.
By May of next year, I'm determined to pay off the entirety of my student loans. By doing so, I can start saving up to go overseas. Once I'm able to afford it, I plan to attend a digital illustration school in Japan for 2 to 3 years, such as JAM or the Osaka Designer's College. Additionally, I want to find the opportunity to work as a comic artist's assistant while in Japan. Of course, the cost of attending school overseas completely out of pocket isn't going to come cheap. When the time comes I'll be more than prepared to find employment teaching English if the situation calls for it. Realistically, I'm planning to pay off my tuition bills within the next three years if worse comes to worse. That way I can focus on saving up to start attending school overseas at least five years from now. Patience is a virtue, and I'll be more than glad to work hard until I can meet my goals.
I hadn't planned on typing up a novella when starting this campaign, but I wanted to properly relay my situation as honestly as possible. To anyone that took the time out to read the entirety of this campaign, you have my gratitude twice over. While I may not be able to do much in return for everyone's generosity, I truly am grateful for any help I'm able to receive. If you do have any questions or feel that I may be able to give you advice on life, feel free to ask away.
Organiser
Michael Harlan
Organiser
Albany, KY
