Seeking your advice because currently my credit score is horrible

Hello, I’m seeking your advice because currently my credit score is horrible. In 2008 I lost my father,my job && my fiance all in 1 month, I was forced to move back with my mother where I remained unemployeed for about 6 months. Unfortunately, in that time period about 9 things went to collections. One of them was a student load I defaulted on for 7k. The other 8 items total about 4k. I’m in the position financially now to start trying to get my credit back in order. The question I have is I have saved up about $4500. What do suggest I do first, pay off the 8 items totaling close to 4gs? I know that defaulting on a loan can lead up to garnished wages so would it be best if I pay that off first?  Please give me some tips that would help me get my life back && maybe give me hope in one day owning my own car under my own name! Thank you for your time && your advice would be greatly appreciated.

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usually with a student loan you can get help through a government intervention program
i forgot what they call it. but i would try to get that re instated and back on payment terms since the balance is more than you have
after i did that or found out about that
then i would make a decision as to what i should do next
but
i would try to make sure i had at least one open rated and current line of credit like a credit card
the other debts i dont know about
but id pay them
dispute them
negotiate them