Tying the knot in college

Homework, friends, work, girlfriends, boyfriends, tests and classes seem to be enough to drive any college student mad.

But some college students are choosing to add marriage into the mix.

Stacy Wiley, third-year music education major, and Casey Wiley, a first-year masters candidate in the higher ed. student affairs program, have been married for about eight months. Both have a positive attitude when it comes to being married in college.

"I think it's great!" Casey said.

His wife, Stacy, added, "You get to have somebody to support you all the time."

The couple says that married life isn't much different than the regular student life. The only thing that is really different is the financial situation, Stacy said, because you are handling it on your own, without your parents.

Casey said their parents taught them how to make a budget for themselves, which helps a lot. They also said that there are a lot of financial aid opportunities for married students.

They both heard from other students and professors that it was not a good idea to get married in college. While this is true for some people, the couple felt that they made the right decision.

"You definitely have to make sure you're ready, it's a huge step and it's one that you're going to be in for the rest of your life," Casey said. "A lot of college students tend to make rash decisions, quick decisions sometimes, but if it is one that you're ready for - you've thought about it, you've prayed about it - then you can go ahead and do it while you are in college."

"As long as you still stay focused," Stacy said.

While some students choose to take the plunge while they are in school, others just choose to wear the diamond.

Sasha Noorani, second-year business administration student, has been engaged for four and a half months. She said her and her fiancée plan to get married in 2008, after she graduates. They also want time to find stable jobs.

Noorani said there are many reasons she does not want to get married in college. One of the reasons is because they go to different schools, while another reason is because she wants to focus on her education.

"I feel like my education is my first priority," Noorani said. "I owe it to my parents, who have done everything for me and I owe it to myself. I want to focus on being a college student"

She said she's also just enjoying planning a wedding.

"I am loving being a bride-to-be," she said. "I'm actually glad we're having a long engagement because I have lots of time to look at magazines and go to bridal shows."

"We're going to have the rest of our lives together. There's no need to hurry."