It’s exhausting.

No, not the walk to your dorm room after a long night of drinking, the mental toll constant tuition increases have on the Northeastern student’s psyche.

The raise is masqueraded well. What does 4.5 percent really add up to? In short, $600 a semester. The longer answer isn’t as clear.

First, they, the higher-ups, tell you to be calm. “Look,” they say, “This increase is below the national average. The increase doesn’t hurt that bad, right?” Yeah, that doesn’t sound so bad, except for one thing: Northeastern’s financial aid doesn’t quite stack up to other universities. While other top 100 universities (you know, the group we are supposedly on the verge of entering) have endless endowments, Northeastern is not as blessed. Granted, while President Richard Freeland has launched an ambitious campaign to fill the pot, the fact of the matter is there is a good chance you will not see any of that moolah in your tenure as a Husky. Add to that the hard-hit economy and the “only $600” excuse doesn’t cut it.

But again, “Never fear, you will love the changes we are going to make,” they say. Some of the changes include $75 million for 100 new professors over the next five years.

This is wonderful. Any time a school is on the lookout for better faculty is a sign of increased value of education. But at the same time, the Faculty Senate proposed a measure that would allow the “star talent” professors more time for research, which means less time in the classroom. If a Northeastern student is supposed to buy this excuse, the school must stop the revolving door.

And buildings. We are building more singles. Sixteen story buildings that will house approximately 300 students. This is where your cash is going, kids. For 50 years, this school sat idly by while old buildings crusted, rusted and crumbled. Enter President Freeland. Suddenly resident halls are popping up faster than, well — tuition increases. With all this, wouldn’t it only be fair to see a piece of property named after each student during this time who has, in essence, funded these massive project? And we are not talking a brick in Centennial Commons, thank you very much.

When it comes down to it, improvements at this school have improved slowly and grudgingly over time, like the increases themselves. And maybe in 10 or so years, the value of a Northeastern degree will have improved and you can be proud you were a Northeastern Husky.

Let’s just hope the $600 is worth it.