Family Expectations Hat

Pressure for Fast Repayment

If your parents have withdrawn assets, sold property, or taken personal loans to finance your education, they will expect a fast repayment. This expectation can create undue stress, especially during the early stages of your career when you are just trying to establish yourself.

How to manage:
In an ideal situation, have a realistic discussion about repayment deadlines while considering future earning potential.
Make your reality known, for example, share your plausible employment outcomes and expected income, so that the repayment plans are not based on projections.
If the repayment plan can be automatic, then establish a fixed monthly transfer that you can stick to over the long run and will not burden you.

I remember I met friend her name was Jia, she shared
to finance Jia’s studies, her parents sold land. She promised to send home a fixed ₹25,000/month, which allowed for smoother budgeting on both sides.

Feeling Guilty as a “Financial Liability”

There’s a persistent feeling of guilt that a lot of students have to wrestle with until they are financially independent. This overwhelming guilt can also promote stop-start behaviors, premature career decisions, or excessive work, which can lead to burnout.

How to manage:

Think of the education as an investment and not a burden since your family likely considers it that way.
To ease your mind, keep track of and celebrate your progress toward financial freedom. That will make you feel better if you're worried.
Balance your objectives so that you do not sacrifice your mental health for accelerated repayment.

To help family, send money home instead of saving for life abroad

Being the mental and financial support for your family while also trying to build your own safety net can make you feel unstable all the time.
How to run things:
Use the split savings plan to help your family and protect yourself. Set aside a set amount of money each month to help your family and a disaster fund for yourself.
Tell your family why saving for yourself will help them more in the future by having open and honest conversations.
Pay attention to changes in the exchange rate and plan for them in your money transfer so that you don't fall short.