In the most devastating economic state since the Great Depression, the current global economic crisis has impacted the lives of people all over the world, including most students. What began as a liquidity shortfall in the United States banking system soon turned into a downfall of markets all over the world.  As a result, many families have had to cut back on their spending and have been forced to make more economically driven money decisions.  
     River Hill students, notoriously known for being some of the wealthiest in the state, have not been exempt from the hardships of the economic crisis. Students have had to become more independent and responsible, since most can no longer simply ask their parents for an infinite supply of money.
     Junior Kinjal Bhatt commented, “My mom and dad told me to get a job so when I go out I do not have to ask them for money,” adding, “this cuts down on unnecessary expenses and teaches me how to spend money wisely.” Bhatt currently holds down jobs at both Subway and the River Hill pool.
     This lack of “extra” money that some families used to have before the crisis has caused many families to become the most conservative they have ever been in allocating their money.  Fewer people are eating out at restaurants, going to the movies, and shopping for items that are not necessities.  As a result, people are forced to find alternative ways to entertain themselves.
     Junior Seth Rosenstein shared how he now uses more simple things to entertain himself such as cards and board games with his friends and family. He acknowledged, “The economy’s downfall has made me focus on exactly how much money I have, and I know how to spend it more efficiently.”
     Students are trying harder not to rely on their parents for everything, especially money, as they realize a shift between what used to be, and what now is.
     Brigid Dass, a junior, stated, “[The crisis] has made me realize how important it is for me to have a job and have my own money, so I don’t have to rely on my parents.” She currently is employed at the River Hill Garden Center.
     The motivation to find a job and work a fair amount of hours proves that students understand what is happening.  Just because high school students have not been to college or gotten corporate jobs, does not mean that they are blind.  They realize that not only do they need money to spend on the little things, but they also realize that saving for college is a reality.
     In saying this, it seems that more and more students are weighing their options when it comes to college.  It is a truly challenging decision to commit to an out of state or private university when students’ state schools have great reputations.
     This accusation can be supported by statistics.  Last year’s River Hill graduates were conscious of how much money they were spending on their education after high school.  Sixty-one students moved on to attend University of Maryland, forty to Howard Community College, and nineteen to UMBC.  Yes, the top three schools attended, accounting for over one hundred students, were in the state of Maryland.
     The U.S. household debt is over $12 trillion and the unemployment rate has hit well over 10% during this economic crisis. People are struggling to find jobs, and families and students have to work much more difficult hours in order to make the money they need to live comfortable lives.
     As the world waits for improvement, challenges still persist.  The global youth unemployment and poverty rates are at an all-time high as 81 million children between the ages of 15 to 24 are currently unemployed.
      This crisis has hurt the world, the country, and the community, and students’ lives have been impacted directly as a result.