College Student looking for advice

[N/A N/A]

Hello all,

I've been reading a lot here there the last few days. Lots of good info! I have a question. I am an older returning college student who is very interested in getting into REI ASAP. I have two years of school left to finish. I have $5000.00 saved but am still getting student loans to pay for school and part of my living expenses. Can I buy while I'm in school and getting loans or would I be better off paying off $5000.00 worth of my student loan and credit card debt?

Also, I think I have pretty good credit but how can I find out for sure? All of the "free credit report" sites I've looked at seem to be scams that want you to join some service.

Also, I have a very high paying part time job right now that I pretty much lucked into but am thinking that it would be a good idea to work in a real estate office or mortgage company or as an assistant to a real estate agent or something like that while I finish school so that I can learn as much about RE as possible in the next couple of years, but all of those types of jobs pay about $10-$12 per hour and I'm making $20.00 per hour now. Do all think the experience I'd get would be worth the $8-$10.00 per hour that I'd be giving up?

Thanks so much!!!

Audrey