We all know that familiar feeling. The fall semester is a thing of the past, Christmas has come and gone, and it seems like just yesterday we were recovering from new years.

It’s time to get back in school mode.

College ruled paper, a daily planner, a new set of gel pens, some colored highlighters, and a pack of mechanical pencils- it’s all on the list. It never matters the number of perfectly useable binders accumulating on the shelf over previous semesters, because a brand new binder is always on the list.

Those taking math oriented courses may feel inclined to purchase a TI-83 calculator. It’s the one widely recommended by most professors, selling at Target for $93.89.

Last year’s backpack is stained, and looking mighty shabby, so you pick up a new one.

The cost of school supplies is adding up, and what’s worse,You haven’t even bought textbooks.

Suddenly stress sets in and you wonder how in the heck you’re going to afford $108 for a parking permit, which by the way, is a gargantuan rip off, especially after snatching off numerous orange parking citations from your windshield last semester.

Suddenly a proverbial voice in your head says it might be a good time to check the mail.

The thin white envelope has arrived. Yes!

Thank God for financial aid!

Next stop is Arden Fair Mall.

A couple new outfits, a MAC lip gloss and a blot powder, maybe even a few scented bottles of Victoria’s Secret lotion. After all, it’s the semi-annual sale. The magnetic force of Macy’s draws you in closer where you break down and buy those furry tan boots.

Before leaving you browse the Coach store, but that’s it. No need to go overboard.

There are always a few things left unfulfilled on the Christmas wish list, and by the end of January, you’ve had a month to ponder your plans for the big check. Finally, you arrive back home just in time to call Sprint and ask them to turn your cell phone back on. It’s been temporarily disconnected since November, when you abused your peak minutes.

Next comes the painful part.

All your credit cards were hacked into tiny colorful bits of plastic confetti last year, after learning a hard life lesson involving compound interest. Financial need breeds financial greed, and you’re still paying the price. Therefore, following a small shopping binge, the next stack of financial aid bills will go to pay off high interest credit debt.

It’s a learning process, so why be ashamed of the truth?

You’re not alone.

26-year-old David Axtman recently promised his Boo Boo (a pet name for live-in girlfriend, Jessica) an evening of sweet indulgence at the famous Cheesecake Factory.

The couple, fresh off the U-Haul, moved from Chico last week, so that David could begin earning his teaching credential at Sac State.

According to David, this is his first semester accepting financial aid.Does he know how lucky he is?

Nevertheless, David has plans.

“As soon as I get my check I’m taking Boo Boo to the Cheesecake Factory,” he said.

A rum-drenched slice of tiramisu, following a delicious over-priced dinner for two, is exactly what David and Boo Boo have in mind to celebrate their big move together.

“I might get some new kicks too.”

Kicks meaning those brown New Balances from Footlocker, in a size 10.And then there’s Kathy Kim, a friend and political science student at Davis who happens to have the same shop-a-holic illness that so many women share in common, who said she plans to get her hair colored, and streaked, at Soo Hoo’s Salon.

Kathy is compelled to point out that since she’s leaving for an internship in Washington D.C, the majority of her financial aid will go to support her living expenses.

Good for you, Kathy!

Every semester students impatiently await the postman, as if he were a January Santa Claus, ready and willing to check off the remaining items on the Christmas wish list.

The funny thing is that most financial aid recipients are legitimately in need of financial support.

So why do students often allow temptation to get the best of them?Not too sure.

Maybe it’s a chemical imbalance.

Just make sure you have enough pocket change leftover to purchase textbooks.

Contact Carrie Espiritu at [email protected]