Credit card vendors are lurking around every corner--in the mailroom, outside the dining hall--and they are most definitely out to get your attention (and get into your wallet!).

So how can you prepare to deal with credit card offers? The truth is, credit cards are as much a part of college as Monday night football parties and late-night pizza deliveries. What you can do is heed some warnings on how to avoid falling into the dark depths of debt.

Do you really need a credit card?
Realize that even before you unpack your suitcases, the credit offers will begin rolling in. For many students, that's hard to ignore, especially when you can be drawn into opening accounts to boost your wardrobe, outfit your dorm room, or just to establish a credit history.

While the desire for a new jacket may not be justification for getting a credit card, establishing a credit history may be. According to Gerri Detweiller, an educational adviser for Debt Counselors of America, "The best reference you'll find on a credit report is a major credit card paid on time, all the time." But before you can boost your respectable credit reputation, you must first know the basics.

Credit Card 101
"Most college kids have a general lack of knowledge and self-discipline," explains Gerry Stenerson, instructor of "Managing Money: A Lesson for College Freshmen" at Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts. "Students need to be taught about credit early on."

The first thing you need to know is how to choose a card wisely. Stenerson teaches students to take their options into account. "Find a credit card with a low interest rate, or a debit card." With a debit card you can only spend what you have. So if money in your account is nonexistent, buying the new Jay-Z CD is not an option.

Next, in order to enjoy college and not be up to your eyeballs in credit card bills, it's essential to set some boundaries. Take it from Steve Bucci, the president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Rhode Island. "Students too often learn about the high cost of credit cards the hard way--after they run up the balance," says Bucci.

Plastic tips
Instead, help yourself out before it's too late by following these tips from the Federal Trade Commission and the Institute of Consumer Financial Education. The following best practices will help keep your spending--and your debt--in check:

1. Develop a budget and never spend more than you can quickly repay.
2. Keep track of spending and write down all purchases in a notebook or checkbook.
3. Don't max out your credit limit--keep credit in reserve for emergencies.
4. Keep tabs on your monthly statements and save all receipts for reference.
5. Always pay more than the minimum to avoid debt.