I’m broke. That is something most college kids can say. Many people tell me to get a job, but it’s hard to find a decent paying job that will work around my schedule.

Plus, as a college student, my needs often cost more than the average person.

Students need books, clothes, money for food and, of course, spending money for the weekends.

Sure, there are ways that students can cut corners and save money, but they are often difficult and aren’t enough to keep students out of debt. Many adults would say that money spent going out should be cut first, but isn’t going out part of the college experience? I thought college was more than just learning from professors and books.

Credit cards have become easier to obtain, thus allowing many college students to go further into debt.

I have received four credit card applications in the past month, and it is very tempting to think of the purchases I could make with a second, third or even fourth credit card.

It is obvious that many students share my feelings, because student debt is on the rise.

According to Nellie Mae Education Foundation statistics, 78 percent of undergraduate students have credit cards, and 32 percent have four or more.

These statistics aren’t the extreme either, because according to Nellie Mae the average number of credit cards an undergraduate has is three, and the average amount of debt is $2,748.

These statistics make me worry because it demonstrates how easy it is to get a credit card.

I know sometimes that when I pull out the plastic at the mall it feels as if I’m not really spending my own money and I feel less guilty about spending more.

I am constantly thinking of things I need to shop for, even if it is just at Wal-Mart.

It is also hard for me to go into the mall just to purchase one thing. I can’t leave without looking around for a good sale. What if there is a great bargain?

This is a problem because just because something is a great bargain does not mean it is something that I really need.

This is something many college students including myself need to learn.

I don’t want to end up in debt because I don’t know how I would be able to pay it off.

How is a student supposed to pay credit card debts back with the interest, not to mention student loans for tuition?

This makes me worry. If I am in this much debt when I graduate from Loyola, how am I supposed to make it through graduate school, or pay rent?

I suppose I will have to make some sacrifices and keep looking for a better job, because even if I use my plastic, it is money that I am going to have to pay eventually.