It seems like one of those out of sight out of mind kind of things that happens to a lot of students. You don't really sit down and calculate just how much money it will cost monthly to pay for your shooling. The 144k comes out to over 650 a month for 30 years depending on interest rates. That's the payment on a nice car, for the majority of your lifetime!

There are some holes in this story, but I still think the general point is there. For one, if you want to get a law or medical degree, you really need to be driven! otherwise don't do it!! Debt it terrible and can really ruin your life.