You’re a student at university. You have a good part-time job. You have a solid (albeit short) banking history. You decide that it’s time to get a credit card. Are you really ready?

Students don’t always fully understand the potential repercussions of misusing credit cards and building a lot of credit card debt at a young age. Before rushing out to apply for your first credit card, ask yourself the following questions to get a better feel for whether or not a credit card is really right for you.

1. Have you had other types of credit (debts) in the past, and did you pay them back responsibly?

If you’ve had a small personal loan, auto loan, or have even borrowed from friends and family with interest (over a long period — not simply borrowing money for a day or two), you might be better prepared to handle a credit card than someone who is less familiar with how quickly interest payments can really add up. You’ll also have an idea of how responsible you are about paying off debts. Did you pay the loan back on time, or did you ask for extensions while spending money on other things you really didn’t need?

2. Have you proven that you can be responsible when using the convenience of plastic?

If you find that you’re more inclined to over-spend when you use your debit card because you aren’t being forced to physically part with cash (which some people do more reluctantly), then you might not be ready for a credit card. Credit cards can lead to temptation. If you’re the type of person who will buy products out of sheer convenience, or buy something you couldn’t otherwise afford, you might be setting yourself up for credit card debt if you apply for a card now. Being able to manage a bank account isn’t enough to show that you’re ready to handle credit, but if debit card use has repeatedly led to overdrafts on your account, you should reconsider those credit card applications.

3. Will your job really be enough?

Whether you’re still living at home or are away living on campus, you might assume you won’t need a large salary to make ends meet (especially if you’re supporting your education with grants and loans). But if you’re a new student, you might not be considering all of your expenses (books for your courses, paying for your own meals and wardrobe, and possibly paying your own utility bills). If you know up front that your income will make for a tight budget, having a credit limit available could tempt you to finance those regular expenses, and they’re not the kinds of things anyone should get into debt over.

If, after thinking about the above questions, you’re still sure that now is the time to apply for your first credit card, at least consider a credit card tailored to the needs of users like you. Cards designed for first-time cardholders, like the ANZ First Visa, will have lower annual income requirements and lower credit limits available. That increases your chances of being approved (remember that applications stay on your credit file for five years, so you don’t want to apply for cards you won’t be approved for), and decreases your chances of running up a lot of credit card debt before you’ve even earned your degree and started your career.