<prompt> Human: I am posting this to look back on in a happier time. if I could go back and tell my 18 year old self one thing, do not underestimate the mental toll of debt. I know in highschool that sentence would have sounded stupid and I would have laughed at the thought of mental hardship. The body is stronger than the mind. My summary:148k in undergraduate debt - 24 years old65k a year job I pay all expenses and live with two other roomates.My job is very open to overtime and I live off of it.I currently pay 2k a month on the loans and Im upping it to 3k in 2015.I feel like everything I was told about life growing up is a lie.I never felt anxiety and depression before this debt. One night I woke up in a panic attack and developed severe depersonalization and derealization including a hospital stay. Depression and anxiety since, with the depression coming in cycles. I will never be the same person I was. Dont make these mistakes.EDIT: to clear up some repeated questions. I went to a private school. I did not have financial aid due to parents income. This post was just a PSA to the high school folks to really think twice about all your options. I know how tempting it is to choose your 1 private school. I havent heard it discussed much in this subreddit but doing 2 years of community college first is heavily stigmatized in highschool. The atmosphere from adult guidance is follow your dreams, it will work out  <response>: My rough math figures your monthly take home amount to be around 3,500. Are you seriously planning on living off of 500 a month? Debt sucks, but so does living in poverty. Try to keep the two in balance for an overall better quality of life. 