High school students throughout Jasper County received some eye-opening information Wednesday on the hard facts of life. The students, mostly in business classes, took part in a “life simulation” exercise at DMACC, intended to teach the financial repercussions of choices made throughout life.

Organized by Colfax-Mingo business instructor Jenn Snyder, the students were given participation forms at their schools, which were filled out before the event Wednesday. The students chose a career for their fictitious life, rolled dice (to simulate the chance aspect of much of our lives) to determine their marital status, the number of children they have, and the amount they have to pay in taxes. The game requires them to save 10 percent of their earnings.

As the students traveled around the room to the different stations, they were required to make real-life choices, such as the size and cost of their home, the type of school they will attend and the college loan to pay for their schooling, make child care payments, pay for health insurance, pay for utilities, food and clothing for the family, and make choices for media services and entertainment. As they traveled to the different stations, they made payments using play money, which gives an added feel of realism.