Student loans. Those words have a rather ugly connotation in our society. They are associated with a variety of different emotions, including, but not limited to: shame, fear, anger and bitterness. Some joke about it, some mock it and others don't like to talk about it at all. But why?

I grew up knowing I would have to take out loans to help pay for my education. My parents did fairly well financially, but not well enough to put me through four years of college. I was a good student, but not good enough to receive a full ride. I knew this, and I also knew I desperately wanted to continue my education after high school. This is my story, and the story of so many others my age. Student loans are my reality.

Do I like being thousands of dollars in debt at the age of eighteen? Not particularly. Is that ideal? Definitely not. But this is the choice I made and I accept it with open arms. Since graduating high school I have received both direct and indirect criticism about my decision to take out loans. Much of this criticism (though not all of it, mind you) has come from students still in high school or who are fortunate enough to have parents who can afford to pay for their secondary education.

Let me begin by saying I don't need anyone else's approval or support to make financial decisions. What my undoubtedly well-meaning critics do not realize, however, is that student loans don't have to be a bad thing. Like anything else, it can be bad if not handled appropriately. If used properly, they are a means to achieve your goals. I am intentional about proactively taking steps to eliminate my debt. I work part time during the school year and full time during the summer to make payments on my loans. I work my butt off applying for scholarships so that loans are my last resort. I only borrow as much as I need and I borrow responsibly.

Most people will be in debt at some point or another in their lives. It's up to you to decide what is worth being in debt for. For some people it is their dream home, for others it is a brand new car, and for me it is school. I place a very high value on my education. I accept the price I must pay for it and I will put in the necessary work to pay off my debt so that I can earn my degree. This does not hold true for everyone, and that is 100% okay. It is time to stop looking down on and shaming those of us that think it is, though. Debt is not necessarily a dirty word. It is time for us to stop thinking of student loans as a bad thing.