Sooo… apparently there’s this thing called “credit.”

And if you want to do basically ANYTHING, you have to have some, and it’s gotta be “good.”

I have been lucky enough to have parents who helped me build my credit (without me understanding what they were doing) but now that I am an ~adult~ I have decided it is time for my next big girl adventure: getting my first credit card.

But, between choosing a student credit card, getting approved for one, and building good credit … where do you start?

Check out my first credit card tips below for perfecting the credit card newbie game:

Table of Contents

What to Look for in a Student Credit Card:

When it comes to student credit cards, research is the easiest part. You are looking for a card that not only fits your financial needs but will benefit from your spending habits.

You need a card with:

No set-up, maintenance, or annual fees. These types of payments sneak up on you, and often without any warning.

Perks and incentives. Especially if you are a student, you are in need of a card that gives you benefits for the charges you put on it — and these cards are plentiful. You can choose from cash rewards, points, or even airline miles if you’re a frequent traveler. There are also many student cards that offer rewards for good grades!

A low interest rate. Because you’re new to credit and having a credit card, finding a company that accepts your application and will give you a super low interest rate is hard to do. The lowest possible interest rate should definitely still be a main priority but hopefully if you are being smart with your money management, you won’t run into issues with having to pay interest anyway. (The goal is to use your card only for building credit and to pay your balance off in full each month.)