So, as y’all have no doubt noticed, things have been pretty quiet around here lately. The reasons for this are simple enough on the surface: I’ve been busy. August has been, to put it mildly, an extremely hectic month for me.
There was, of course, my trip. This was wonderful, but it was also busy. I spent more time with other people than I did with my laptop, which on the whole I suspect was a good thing, but did mean I updated rather less.
That wasn’t the primary reason for my absence, though–I’ve been dealing with work and, moreso, with some rather drastic changes to my plans for the fall.
Bluntly, I was planning to be going school. This is not going to happen. I owe my school two thousand dollars, and until that has been paid, I cannot register for any courses. I do not have two thousand dollars, so I’m taking a semester off. I found out about this in a very precipitous fashion, and it hit me hard! I’ve mostly recovered now, but dealing with the emotional fallout from that took time.
Beyond the emotional, this turn of events has real practical implications. There’s a surprising amount of bureaucracy to work through–canceling things, applying for others, finding a new counsellor (Student Counselling Services is only open to current students, alas)…paperwork. And phone calls. Both of which are things I despise, and which take their toll on me.
And finally, there is money. I need a job. I have my work with my school, but it doesn’t pay enough. I was hoping to work for my father at the Canadian National Exhibition on weekends, to build up a sort of buffer until I can get back on my feet. I did this this past weekend. It was an unmitigated disaster. I may go back next weekend, I may not; I’m scared to, quite frankly. So that is not necessarily a tenable option for some temporary income.
Keeping this in mind, I’ve created a donations page, with accompanying button. This button, right here:
It is to go on my new Donations page. As I say there, if you can’t or don’t want to help, I understand. But I appreciate, so much, anything you can give.
Hey Dorian,
Is there anyone in your family who could help you out?
Also, have you tried talking to someone in financial aid at the school to see what they can do? Maybe there’s some scholarship or other program that you qualify for.
I know those are obvious suggestions and I’m sure you’ve done both but I just thought I’d bring them up.
If you do have to drop out for a semester, I’d try to find the cheapest safe living arrangement possible – perhaps with a relative or good friend – and get a full-time job where you can save most of what you earn.
Take care of yourself and don’t lose hope. Wish I had more wisdom or help to offer.
Esther,
Thanks for the support–it does mean a lot. I have, as you rightly guessed, talked to family and financial aid, and came up basically blank (though I am trying to work with Anishnabeg Outreach, who may be able to, at the very least, help me find employment).
I will be living with friends, which I had planned anyway. And it’s relatively affordable*, which is a good thing.
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*I mean, it’s actually spectacularly cheap, but I still don’t have the money right at this moment.
I’m a few weeks late responding (haven’t had time to read blogs) but I just wanted to say that my heart goes out to you… that is really a tough situation. As a grad student and single mother, I cannot offer any financial support, but I did have a similar thing happen.
Last year, I was informed that funding was going to be less than ever before, and if I wanted to continue in school I would have to acquire loans with which to do so… something that I could not afford to do, considering I already owe a ridiculously large sum of money. At the last minute, I ended up with a really good scholarship and I managed to register last week.
But it is a good thing that we live in a just society where everyone has access to education, right?