Past Due

[what2dowhat2do]

What is the name of your state? NJ

I acquired a couple of credit cards when I was in college, and after a while was unable to keep up on payments/pay them off. After I finished undergrad, I went to grad school and haven't had a steady job in quite some time. I am now finished with school, about to start a new job and would like to try and clear up my credit, but was wondering how I can by pass the rediculous amount of interest that the creditors have attached to my debt. For instance, I have one card where I had $275 past due, and the company is now reporting to the credit bureau that I owe them $2,516. That's insane, and I refuse to pay almost 10 times what I originally owed, nor am I in a position to be able to pay that on top of my other bills. Although my other creditors have not increased the amount I owe by such an exorbitant amount, there is an significant increase from the amount past due to the amount written off and I would like help/advice on the best way to decrease the amount owed on those debts, so I'm not paying an amount way above and beyond what I've actually spent/owe.