Attending college can be an enriching and beneficial experience, both for your potential earning power and for your life in general. But with today’s high tuition costs, it can also be a great way to get into debt—and, in most cases, student loan debts are not dischargeable in bankruptcy, which means you’ll almost certainly have to pay them back, even if you find yourself in financial distress.

Luckily, there are lots of resources on the web for college students trying to keep their budgets under control. Here’s a look at some of them.

What to Avoid

A recent post from CreditBloggers.com outlines some common financial mistakes college students make and how to avoid them. These include:

• Racking up credit card debt: While it may seem almost logical to accrue credit card debt in college (with the assumption that it will be easy to pay off once you have a full-time job), avoid this kind of debt at all costs. True, many college students have limited budgets, but that’s not an excuse to live beyond your means. Plus, in this economy, a full-time job is no guarantee upon graduation, and credit card payments may seem crushing when combined with those for student loans.
• Graduating late: Spending an extra semester (or longer) in school may seem fun, but it’s rarely a good move financially. Be sure to review graduation requirements at the beginning of every semester and—for serious savings – try taking some college-credit classes at a community college or in high school to save money on credit hours.
• Having your identity stolen: While identity theft isn’t the fault of its victims, its damage can be kept in check with good financial habits. A recent study found that college students are generally the slowest to notice their identities have been stolen, largely because they tend to monitor accounts less carefully than older adults. To stay on top of your finances, be sure to check your credit report for free at www.annualcreditreport.com.

What to Embrace

So what can a student do to keep bills in check and resist the temptation of the plastic cards? Consider some of these tips:

• Turn off lights and other appliances when you’re not using them. Get a power-smart power strip that can be switched off when you’re not at home—your energy bills should shrink.
• Make your own cleaning supplies for less than what it costs to buy name-brand stuff. While you’re at it, choose rags over paper-towels to save even more.
• Print assignments on both sides of a page whenever possible—you’ll save on paper, ink and printing costs.
• Opt for a reusable water filter over bottled water. You’ll save money and keep waste out of the landfills.

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