You’ve reached the end of your college career! You’re probably excited that you’re done with your education and ready to get on with the rest of your life. So, now what’s next? Should you go backpacking in South America or take a Grand Tour of Europe? Rather than deciding on an exotic vacation locale, many recent graduates are instead focusing on how they’re going to pay off their student loans.

It’s important to keep in mind that debt is not an inevitable part of your educational experience. Believe it or not, you CAN graduate from college debt-free, and with the money you saved, you might be able to take that much-deserved vacation. Here’s how:

Take out as few loans as possible – Taking out loans isn’t a bad thing, but be careful to take only what you absolutely need. Remember, the more loans you accept, the more money you will have to pay back after you graduate!

Go to school online – Attending an online college or university drastically cuts your education costs! Think about it, if you can read your assignments online, you’ll be saving a whole lot of money on textbooks, commuting costs, and notebooks.

Opt for a work-study or part-time program – Although you will take longer to graduate, work-study definitely pays off! By going to school part-time, you will be able to get a job AND work towards your education. The money you will earn at work will help cover tuition costs, so you won’t have to take out loans.

Resist that credit-card – Lots of college students fall prey to the credit card trap. Resist the temptation to use your credit card, and opt for cash instead. Students have a tendency to think of credit cards as an endless source of money, but keep in mind that you have to pay your credit card statement before your student loans!

Choose your first job carefully – your first job out of college sets the tone for the rest of your career. While entry-level experience is valuable, earning a decent salary will help you to save money from the get-go and makes it easier for you to negotiate you future salary.