A Hard Decision To Make

[XAngie976X]

Well next month is my final month of being a High School junior and I'm already looking for colleges. There was one college that I passed over. It wasn't until weeks ago that they sent me a letter and I saw that the college is in Brooklyn, New York. That's where my SO lives. Before that, we were talking about if he went to college down here in Florida and I go to a college in either Florida or Georgia. A couple of days ago, I was in a 3-way call with my SO and our friend and he lives in Brooklyn too and the college; Pratt University is 4 blocks away from his house and now my SO wants me to go college up there and live with his friend and him. It's something I always wanted but also there were some really good colleges but that school looks really good too. I have one more year to make my decision but I feel like the pressure is on me now. Also I graduate a year earlier than him but he's six months older than me so he'll move out before me.
I feel like so many people want me to make a decision now, including my sister is on me for going to college, I don't think I might see my SO this summer because of her wanting me to look at colleges. The only way I can convince her to make me go is if I see Pratt University but I want to spend time with him too, it's like I have no control of my life. I can't have people watching every move I make or else how the hell am I supposed to make it on my own? I don't know what to do; one, I don't even know the situation when I graduate. And two; how am I gonna convince my sister to let me go and see my SO...

[Caitlin2009]

I say follow your heart with this one, whats your heart telling you to do?

[XAngie976X]

My heart says i want to be with him but I don't know about being in a University that I'm still skeptical about, and in a city I barely know. I know I'll have him and his friend but I still want to be with him but I don't know I'm not even a Senior yet.

[Caitlin2009]

well if thats where your heart is leading you too then go for it! And look up the city and stuff and learn about it, make a few phone calls and even call up the University and see how they are with things. Him and his friend will defiantly show you the ropes to the city i think they'll teach you a few things if you do go

[ValadinShadow]

I have a differing opinion here. I say look at Pratt, but look at the others too. I hate to say it, but now is when you look at schools that you want to go to, so that you can get all the essays written, the applications in, and financial aid figured out soon enough. Find a college that you think you will be comfortable in. I wouldn't be too worried about not knowing the town or anyone there. I went to a school across the country from home, where I didn't know anyone, anything in the town or even the culture (going from the Northwest to the South, talk about culture shock) Go to the school where you feel a connection with the place, or that you can get excited about. It is too much money and time to invest in something that you aren't 100% about. On the other hand, don't be afraid to go outside your comfort zone either!! I did, and I got my SO and my best friend out of it, as well as a degree. Go with your gut on the school, and you and your SO will work something out. That is the nice thing about college....lots of breaks to go visiting in!!!

[ValadinShadow]

Oh, and another thing. Freshman year of college is....well....hectic. And that is being kind about it. To move in with your SO, plus another guy, plus starting college...well, that might be a lot to handle all at once. At the very least, do a semester or year in the dorms before moving in with him. You will make more friends that way, and really get into college life. I spent all four years in the dorms (it was a residency required school) and while it was...interesting...I wouldn't have moved out even if I could have. I would have missed the best parts of college, like Gilmore Girls marathons, midnight trips to Harris Teeter and having a friend down the hall when things were all falling apart.

[Kat Marie]

I'm going to have to agree with ValadinShadow. I think you should choose your college for YOU, no matter if it creates/continues a distance. If the college in Brooklyn IS for you, then go for it. But live on campus your Freshman year. If you move in with your SO, and things aren't the way you expect them to be, you'll be in an uncomfortable situation. If you live on campus, you'll still be near, but you'll get the chance to live as a college student (the fun of college is the experience of living on campus, on your own, with roommates - late night trips, studying together, partying together, organizing games of hide and seek and all kinds of stuff!). Take the time to research all of the colleges that interest you, for the career path you're interested in. College is about you, not about some guy (I know it sounds harsh to put it that way, him being your significant other, because he might be the one for you, but right now you're going to be applying to college - it's time to focus on you!!). Please follow your dreams! : ) He can be involved in it, and a part of it, just don't make him the main focus! Please don't stress yourself out over it! You have time. You're young (I'm just a sophomore in college, trust me, I remember how it feels to be stressing over choosing a college). Make it about you.