Ask older siblings, friends or relatives about their experiences with student loans to get a feel for what you’ll be facing. You can also talk with your school counselor or financial aid adviser for help. Before taking out private student loans, be sure to check with your school’s financial aid office. The school will help you determine how much you can borrow based on cost of attendance. Then you can compare offers from various private student loan lenders. Before you make a decision, it’s also important to learn the lingo.