Apparently, just paying tuition isn’t enough anymore. Now the school expects us to give it even more money, money that realistically most of us don’t have, especially as seniors getting ready to graduate and work in the real world.
Like, I get the concept; honestly, I really do. On paper, a “senior gift” sounds nice. It’s about giving back, leaving a legacy and showing appreciation for the place that supposedly shaped you into who you are. To be perfectly honest, I have had some really great experiences during my time here. I’ve made meaningful friendships, found my place in certain groups and grown a lot over the past few years studying here. The college experience hasn’t been all rainbows and unicorns, but I wouldn’t say it’s been bad.
But here’s where I start to have a problem: the pressure.
Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, there is pressure. It’s subtle, but it’s there. Emails, reminders and little mentions here and there all add up. Suddenly, if you don’t contribute, you’re somehow less appreciative. It’s like your memories and experiences don’t count unless you attach a dollar amount to them.
And personally, that doesn’t sit right with me.
Let’s be real for a second. Have you seen the economy we’re about to graduate into? It’s not exactly giving financial stability. Jobs are competitive, underpaid, or somehow both at the same time. A lot of entry-level positions require years of experience, which makes absolutely no sense. Unless you have strong connections or come from a certain background, it can feel like you’re already behind before you’ve even started.
So being asked to donate money right now feels a little out of touch with the reality most of us face.
Most of us are already leaving with student loans. We’ve spent the last four years paying tuition, buying textbooks we barely used, paying fees we didn’t fully understand, and trying to manage everyday expenses on top of that. And now, right as we’re about to step into one of the most uncertain transitions of our lives, we’re being asked to give more.
It’s kind of ironic if you ask me.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the idea itself is bad. I actually think it could be meaningful under different circumstances. If anything, it would make more sense to ask for contributions later on, when alumni are more established. You know, when we actually have jobs, a steady income and maybe a little less financial stress hanging over our heads. Because right now, most of us are just trying to figure things out.
We’re applying for jobs, stressing over interviews, thinking about where we’re going to live, how we’re going to pay bills and what our lives are even going to look like in a few months. Some of us are going into fields that we know are underpaid, but we’re doing it anyway because we care about the work. And that’s something to be proud of, but it also means we have to be realistic about our finances.
So when I see those emails asking for a senior gift, part of me feels a little guilty, I won’t lie. I am grateful for a lot of what I’ve experienced here but at the same time, I have to remind myself that gratitude doesn’t have to be financial.
I can appreciate my college experience without donating money I don’t have.
I can value the memories, the friendships and the growth without proving it through a contribution.
And honestly, I think a lot of seniors feel the same way, even if they don’t say it out loud.
So no, I won’t be contributing to the senior gift. Not because I don’t care and not because I’m ungrateful, but because I’m being realistic about where I am right now. I’m about to enter a career field that isn’t exactly known for high pay, and I have to prioritize my future.
Maybe one day, when I’m more financially stable, I’ll look back and feel differently. Maybe I’ll want to give back in a way that actually feels manageable and meaningful.
But for now, maybe ask me again in a few years.
