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I think that ultimately, YOUR education is YOUR responsibility. Why should parents pay thousands upon thousands of dollars because his or her daughter decides to be a dentist? It doesn't mean you don't love your children because you are not paying for it, it means that you are making them take control of their own destiny. They are the ones who are going to profit from this experience, and they should realize that it doesn't come without hard work. I am currently a college student and am paying my way through school and living expenses. I'm not going to deny the fact that it's hard. In fact, it's bloody hard. I have to manage my school, work, study, and social hours, as well as my bank book. However, this is teaching me such good financial and time management skills that I know I am going to benefit from for the rest of my life. I have a friend in the same program as me and she has everything handed to her. Her parent's paid for her tuition, books, rent, food, spending money; you name it and they give it to her. I notice a real difference in our work and spending ethics as a result of it. While I am saving and reasoning my money, she is spending it on movies and other material things. When her mother and father finally set her free, so to speak, I don't think she is going to know how to budget her money properly and take care of herself. I've worked for years to get to the place that I am today, but I value my education more than anyone I know because I have put so much effort into it. I never miss a day of school, and I tend to be at the top of my class. Is that because I paid for myself? I probably can't give that all the credit but I honestly believe it has a lot to do with it. I am ready for the real world, and I know the struggles ahead and how to deal with them. And most importantly, I value what I have. I think that was the best gift my parents could have given.

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