As we consider what we want in our futures, we often forget about what it takes, or in this case costs, to reach those goals. However, there are so many ways to make college less of an obstacle.

A few months ago, I was the kid dreaming of a university, but facing the reality I would most likely attend a community college. Now, I’m going to attend a beautiful university with hardly any financial worries. But, I have had to work like no other to be able to afford my dreams.

I’m sure we’ve all heard it a million times, but scholarships really are everywhere. They’re in our very own counseling office. It’s a matter of being willing to apply yourself and be motivated enough to not only research them and find them, but also to do all the work that comes with applying.

The horrible, terrible, scary loans we keep hearing about? Well, those aren’t as horrific as they seem. It is more than likely that loans are inevitable, but rather than seeing it as just a loan, see it as an investment in yourself. Think of these things in different terms and learn to give them a positive connotation.

Perhaps, one of the things that I find most important is to avoid procrastination at all costs. We often tend to put things aside until they’re due or necessary, but this is college, not high school. Opportunities such as FAFSA and scholarships are necessities that have to be done immediately in order to come out on top and get the best financial aid available for you.

In the end, it all boils down to how much you want your future. How much do we scholars truly want to achieve our dreams? If we want something enough, nothing is impossible.