Am I crazy for wanting to be financially independent? Need college financial advice.

So basically, I am starting my second year of college and I want to kind of ween myself off of daddy's money. I am taking over the responsibility of paying my own rent and food along with anything else I will need throughout the year (school supplies, gas, entertainment, etc).

I will have a job but it will probably be minimum wage and only 20-25 hours a week as I am taking 14 credit hours this coming fall semester.

A little about me:

-I am 19 years old

-I will have around 6.5k saved up by the time the upcoming semester starts

-I attend a public university where my tuition (only the actual credit aspect is paid for) is paid for (I still have to pay about $700 a semester in fees such as activities, transportation, facilities, etc).

-I am about 6k-ish in student loan debt after my first year and decided loans aren't really the way I want to go. I taking out another 6k in loans these next two coming semesters but HAVE NO intention on spending that money unless I absolutely need to.

-My rent cost is approximately $490/mo (utilities such as water, electricity, internet, and cable are included)

-I receive about 1k in grants a semester (will probably use this money to pay the previously mentioned $700/semester fees leaving about $300 left over).

I also just had a couple of quick question about college finances:

-Is it stupid to take out loans as safety when you don't really intend to use them?

-Is it true most college/school loans don't rack up interest until after you graduate (I assume this varies, but I would just like a general answer)?

Any advice is also welcomed/appreciated

Thank You PF!