Why I'm not scared of my student loans

I currently have $140,000 in student loans and I'm only half way through my undergrad degree.

By the time I graduate from NYU I will be over $280,000 in debt, and that's not even including all of interest that I'll be racking up. Chances are, by the time I finish paying off all of my debt it will be over $300,000 worth. For 4 years of school. That's assuming that I don't go to grad school or anything, but I do plan to go to grad school.

Everyone reading this is probably thinking that I'm insane.

Honestly, I probably am. It's going to take me years to pay off the debt I've accumulated. But honestly, I think it's all worth it. There are a lot of people that make more sound financial decisions about college. They choose to go to a less expensive school or find a way to finance through scholarships and grants. Unfortunately, based on my family's salary, I didn't qualify for much financial aid. (Like, I get a $5,500 subsidized loan, which is basically only saving me a thousand dollars or so). I got a few scholarships, but none of them were sponsored by NYU. But I'm not here to complain about the education system or NYU's lack of financial aid.

What I am here to talk about is why I'm not afraid of having this massive amount of debt as a 20 year old. 

I believe that to make something of yourself you need to take risks. You need to believe in yourself. I had to take the leap for myself. I couldn't let my dreams go because I was scared of having a lot of loans to pay back. I'm truly thankful for every moment I've had at NYU so far, and will continue to be thankful for the rest of my life.

I wouldn't be where I am now if I had made a more "rational" decision. 

I wouldn't have my ambition anymore, and I sure as hell wouldn't have the connections I have so early in my career. 

This isn't to say that if you go to a different school you're not as good as those who go to private schools. Hell, there are probably a lot of people at cheaper schools who will do greater things than I ever will, and who have a ton more passion and perseverance than I do. But for me, if I had settled for anything less I would have given up on all of my dreams. I would've settled for being mediocre and probably wouldn't get very far in life. 

I can't rationally justify the massive debt I'll be paying back for, like, forever, nor can I say that I'm the best at making financial decisions - you all know I go on random trips to Europe more often than the average person. But I can say that it was the best decision I could have made for me. I'll face the consequences head-on and be ready to make some tough financial decisions in the future as well. But everything in life comes with trade-offs, and I'm glad I made the decision I did.