Congratulations, graduate. You walked across the stage, threw your cap in the air, and earned your degree. Now, the mailman is bringing a different kind of celebration: your first student loan bill.

For millions of Americans, student loan debt feels like a mountain without a peak. But here is the secret—you don’t have to climb it in one day. You just need a map.

First, know what you owe.
Don’t bury your head in the sand. Log into the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to see every federal loan you have. If you have private loans, check your credit report. List out three things for each loan: the total balance, the interest rate, and the servicer’s name.

Second, choose your fighter.
Federal loans come with superpowers that private loans don’t. You have options:

• Standard Repayment: Fixed payments for 10 years. You pay less interest overall.
• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR): Caps your payment at 10-20% of your discretionary income. If you earn 35,000,yourpaymentcouldbeaslowas35,000,yourpaymentcouldbeaslowas0. Perfect for artists, teachers, or nonprofit workers.
• Graduated Plan: Low payments now that rise every two years. Good for medical residents or entry-level bankers expecting raises.

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The bottom line.
Student loans don’t have to ruin your 20s. Set up autopay (lenders often give a 0.25% rate discount for this). Pay the minimum on all loans, but throw any extra cash at the loan with the highest interest rate. That one is the financial leech. Kill it first.