Maybe it's different in the USA, but in New Zealand, in between my student loan and a part time job, I was able to get by just fine. Everyone else I know was i

Maybe it's different in the USA, but in New Zealand, in between my student loan and a part time job, I was able to get by just fine. Everyone else I know was in the same situation. We spent 4 years partying, hanging out, and having a good time. I'm aware that it is a position of privilege to be able to say that university is a place to find yourself, but it's not a position of immense privilege at all in New Zealand, or most of the western world for that matter. These days, I earn enough that I generally don't worry about money. I check my bank balance on payday to see how much I've got, and don't worry about it for the next month. I'm no happier than I was when I had to check my balance every time I went to the shops, when I had $5 to last me 2 days to payday. Sure, I'm less stressed, but I'm not happier.