That's exactly my point, as long as students work all summer to pay back their overdrafts etc what's the problem?

Do you not think that attitude says a lot about the way we think about money now - ahh its someone elses problem it doesn't matter.

No matter what most 18 year olds say they aren't mature enough to think in the long term, to consider the problems they are creating for themselves in the long run and the banks are actively encouraging that with their offers of overdrafts and credit cards and of course all this "free" money is ever so appealing until the day they realise the debt they have left themselves with that they have to struggle to clear.

people seem to forget that even when they graduate with a good degree there's no gravy train. most graduates have to graft harder than ever putting in more hours to gain experience or are on training programmes where they're worked like dogs. reality is most of us will never pay off our loans, repayments only just cover the interest, so it doesnt matter how much debt you get really. some students are just silly though, but most of those drop out or are kicked out after their first year

personally ive got about 20 grands worth of debt after 5 years at uni, i always worked, but i lived the full uni life as well. i hated uni itself, but loved the social life, in particular the rugby team. i wouldnt have stayed had it not been for the social side, uni wasnt really for me. but i new i needed a degree to get me where i wanted to be.

your never gonna stop students partying, and i dont think anyone can say they dont understand the implications of their debt, most do. they just realise they can pay for it later. that might seem like the wrong attitude but its the reality. im paying for it now. do i regret it - not one bit. in fact, if i lost my job tomorrow id go back!

Being a student is a hard balance these days. You have to balance Uni work and getting the grade that will make the whole exercise worthwhile, with earning enough money to not cripple yourslef for years to come, with enjoying what is the prime of your life, and times that most people won't experience in their lifetime. Some people are lucky, some unlucky with the £ side of things. Some are stupid with money and some are careful. Its about achieving the right balance within your given circumstances

You sound exactly the same as me.

The whole uni thing isn't really my cup of tea, but I love the social life and the rugby team etc.

True I will get in to debt, but it's all about learning stuff at the university and learning about yourself in what is a life experience, and I know I've certainly done the latter this year.

F**k me, they have extended the curriculum these days?

Surely if you have one of those anything is possible.....

Nah; your two busy earning your crust to repay your 20 grands worth of debts

Maybe you should devote some time to locating your sense of humour. Being massively in debt after spending 5 years pi$$1ing 20 grand up the wall will probably require that you have one.

Define massively in debt?! I think it was a sound investment! Did everytihng I wanted, got a degree and did a bit of travelling and played a hell of a lot of Rugby. How many non-students do you know who are racked with needless debt? I think student debt is the least of this country worries.

I'm paying it back now, I'm not losing any sleep over it.

What's more, it's a good time to be at uni at the minute.

What credit crunch?

Which I'm sure is worth almost as much as the paper it's written on.

Keep looking for your sense of humour, it's probably gone down a U-bend somewhere along with the 20 big ones you've wasted.

Its not done me too badly so far!

I don't think of it as waste, more an invesmtent!