Today’s collegiate faces a myriad of worries, which includes; how do I not look like a freshman, and when am I actually going to graduate. Somewhere in the middle of this melange of confusion lies a question to which many of us will one day be forced to answer. How will I pay back my college loans?Many students work while attending classes.Those of us who do work earn a check, which some may call unsporting and others may see as a lucrative subsidy. However, regardless of the amount of money that one earns, the answer to partially financing those college loans may lie in the wonderful world of investments. Here are several options to help ensure that one receives a favorable return on an investment to assist with the payback of a college loan.One of the most common places to invest money is in a savings account at a bank. There are two benefits of a savings account which make this investment a popular choice. The first of these is security. Opening a savings account is virtually risk free. You simply put your money in, and watch it collect interest. he second benefit is that you can make a withdrawal at will. Although these benefits exist, savings accounts offer very low interest rates. Thus, the payoff is not very sizable on a short-term investment.If the thought of a savings account doesn’t wet your whistle, or if you already have an account and wish to pursue other options, a certificate of deposit may be in order. Through a certificate of deposit you agree to let a bank hold your money for a specified amount of time. Banks discourage (ahem- ahem) early retrieval of that money by charging a penalty fee if you do choose to make a withdrawal. To make this option a little more seductive, banks offer a higher interest rate for a certificate of deposit than a savings account.Another investment option available is the stock market. As forbidding as this may seem, it’s not too bad when you do your homework and take your time.A good way to ease into the rushing waters of the trading river is through mutual funds. A mutual fund is a collection of different stocks. Mutual funds are a direct investment into the stock market, which over time has shown potential for a high yield. The only drawback is that there is a higher risk than investing in a bank. This risk is not as high as with individual stocks because you avoid putting all of your eggs in one basket.If a substantial payoff is the Holy Grail after which you seek and you don’t mind a little gambling (can I say that word at OSU?), then the thought of individual stocks may bode well for you. With individual stocks you become the stock chooser yourself. To do this requires a stock broker or someone who is licensed to sell stock.But how can one tell the difference between a good investment and a bad one? Most libraries have publications which show the past performance of stocks. These may give you a better idea of how your stock will perform. Stocks are an excellent way to go if you want a high return, but they are often unpredictable and are the highest investment risk of any mentioned in this article.There may be a fee when purchasing stocks or mutual funds, so as with anything else shop a little to see who has the lowest fees.Whatever you decide to do, if anything, make sure you study the investment first. I am sure that there are other ways of making money to pay back those loans, but these are a few of the options that I am exploring and finding success with. If investing isn’t what you want to do, find a way to make some honest money, and try not to let the interest get too high on a college loan. The bottom line is to have a plan of action. Try not to sit around wondering how. Think of some way to make something good happen financially and run with it. Beat the loan, don’t let the loan beat you.Michael Norman is a sophomore majoring in marketing/broadcasting from Cincinnati, Ohio.