College Students "Pearls of Wisdom": An Analysis of Real-Life Bad Choices

John, a sophomore who loved basketball, frequently joined classmates on the court. He didn't get a basketball scholarship but managed to secure an academic scholarship to attend college.

He especially took notice of a player, a junior named Scott. Scott always wore tennis shoes that were over $200, along with very expensive diamond jewelry, and the latest designer clothes. He found this to be interesting because he was told that Scott came from a poor family and was financing his education using student loans. Nevertheless, Scott was an excellent ball player and John enjoyed the challenge of having him as an opponent.

One day, after an extensive game, Scott asked him if he would like to hang out at the mall. Most of the college kids gathered at the mall, where they flirted with each other. He agreed to join Scott and when they arrived, they immediately went shopping at an athletic apparel store.

After two hours of shopping, Scott told him, "Man, I am exhausted. I've spent over $10,000." John thought it was strange that Scott used a total of five credit cards. He wondered how he was going to repay the debt. John asked him, "How are you going to pay all those bills?" Scott replied, "I don't have to. Just come to my room tonight and I'll explain how it's done."

They left and returned to the campus. John went to his room and thought about Scott spending all that money. His first thought was that the credit cards were stolen. Then he thought that maybe Scott had family members who could afford to give him credit cards and repay them. After taking a shower, he went to Scott's dormitory and knocked on his door. Scott opened the door and said, "What's up man? Want a beer?" John replied, "I sure could use one after all that shopping, or at least for me, window-shopping." He then said, "How can I get access to extra credit card money?" Scott replied, "Here's how it works. I have a hook up on driver's licenses. You can get a driver's license in another person's name and steal their identity. Once you are approved for loans, you start getting more offers for credit. Next thing you know, you will have $100,000 in credit card money available for you to spend like a king! I just want you to give me $100 up front for the driver's license and 10 percent of each credit card you get. Doesn't that sound like a winner?" John replied, "Yes, man, I'm down. I need some extra money."

John started getting the credit cards. Before he knew it, he had access to over $50,000 in credit card money. He went on extensive shopping sprees. He also treated his lady friends to luxurious dates.

One day, as he was shopping with his girlfriend and using his credit cards to make the purchases, a man in a suit approached him. He took out a badge and told him that he was under arrest for fraud, theft by taking, and forgery.

John was arrested and expelled from school; losing his academic scholarship and spending years in prison.

Pearls of Wisdom

What is wrong with this scenario? First of all, John should have followed his suspicions. Deep down, he knew something was not right about the credit cards. He would have been better off leaving Scott alone in the beginning, instead of pursuing a friendship with him. He put himself in harm's way by calling Scott and getting into his business. John also opened himself up to temptation. All of this could have been avoided if he had listened to himself. He ignored his own inner voice of wisdom. He chose to let temptation get the best of him.

Credit-card theft is a major crime. It is a felony. How much is your freedom worth to you? If you resort to this illegal activity, you will be caught and spend time in jail. Then you will have a criminal record, which can and will affect your future. You lose your freedom, along with many other things if you become a felon.

We all want nice things. That is the beauty of going to college. College prepares you for a future career that will lead to long-term earnings that are higher than those of your non-college-educated peers. But the key here is sacrifice. John wanted and chose the easy way out. He chose quick, illegal money instead of hard work.

John would have been making the right decision if he had chosen to report Scott to the police. Scott was involved in illegal activities and was violating others by stealing their identity.

John could have saved himself and his family a lot of embarrassment if he had made the right choice. Now, he has a criminal record, which limits his income-earning capability and blows his chances of earning a college degree. All of this is a result of his inability to resist the temptation of quick, easy money.