how do i appeal a 30 day sentence for unpaid traffic tickets?

I had lost my job a while back and lost track of some tickets for traffic violations and still without a job i am unable to pay them. I went to district court and was told i have to serve a 30 day jail sentence and will recieve a notice in the mail that i can appeal. I don't want this on my record and i recently started college to get my life back on track. What can I do?