OK, there's student debt and "student debt." 
Much debt incurred while studying is created by high-end cell plans, ski/beach vacations, car costs, convenient but expensive meals out, etc.
For every diligent student scraping by and deferring gratification, there are x number of other students living like they've already entered the middle class. But that's supposed to be where your degree is helping you to get to--you ain't there yet! The life skills learned by living cheap and minimizing debt can be far more valuable than anything learned in class.