You would be hard-pressed to find someone under the age of 40 who has attended college and has not experienced the process of student loans.

If it seems like everyone who has gone to college has debt, that is because the majority of students attending a four-year university have had to take out student loans.

Here are some ways student loans can affect you, and how to navigate life with student loan debt. Check out the other choices mentioned below such as restaurants that pay for college, community college, and trade schools.

Debt-to-Income Ratio

You must understand how student loans can impact your debt-to-income ratio. Even if your student loan debt comes with a manageable payment each month, a high balance can have a negative impact on your future credit score, and can also make life milestones such as buying a home or car for the first time stressful. You should ensure that whatever amount of debt you decide to incur, your resulting income will be sufficient to pay off the loan in less than ten years. At the very least, be prepared to spend at least 2% of your monthly income on student loan repayment each month after you graduate.

Student Loan Debt

Student loan debt isn’t necessarily negative debt, but it can impact your ability to obtain access for other loans—such as car notes or mortgages. Many lenders are adjusting to a housing market filled with potential buyers who have student loan debt. However, it is still essential to try and keep your student debt at a manageable amount and make your monthly payment on time so you can keep your credit score higher.

Managing Repayment

For many, repaying student loans is the most dreaded and painful part of the loan process. Fortunately, making a plan before applying for the loan can help.

Know how much the loan repayment amount will be each month as well as the interest rate. Shop around and compare interest rates, and don’t be afraid to talk to your loan officer about repayment options, such as income-based repayment options.

If you can find a program that helps pay for college, or start at the community college level, you can save hundreds of thousands of dollars. Student loans are becoming a regular part of going to school, but you don’t have to go into debt with your eyes closed.

Being informed is your best defense against overwhelming student debt. The more you know, the better prepared you will be when the time comes to determine how you are going to pay for education. And, keep your options open—there is nothing wrong with junior college and trade schools. Not everyone was made to go to college because society says it’s the next rite of passage.

Read more: 7 Ways to Avoid Student Loan Debt