[riksie-dixie]

I may have originally put this in the wrong topic...

So, I am currently attending the local community college and graduating with an Associate's in Individual Studies, because my adviser said to do that and be able to graduate with an actual degree, basically guaranteeing my acceptance to any other SUNY school.

Now, here's the problem... There are two colleges I have in mind. One has an accredited art program and my best friend also happens to go there. However, it's two and a half hours away.

The other college doesn't have an accredited art program and it's only an hour away with no one I can really talk to on campus. However, the campus is really nice and it's easy to get there.

I tend to suffer from major anxiety attacks at least once or twice a year, and they last for a while... a month, at least. I am going to the doctor to discuss new medication, as Lexapro never worked for me. This is why my parents don't want me to go too far away. While I think I'm a little better with controlling them, my parents think otherwise.

I'm not sure what to do at this point. I feel like I'd have a better support system going farther away, because my best friend is always willing to listen to me without any sort of stupid comment about what I'm worrying about, and she reassures me a lot.

I'm feeling hopeless at this point. I want to be able to get my degree and a job, but I feel that my anxiety is going to hinder that and I'm going to be a wreck living at home.

[Little Lulu]

Keep talking about it and perhaps the answer will become clear. One thing I always forget is that things that don't work out can generally be changed and if I need to change something, that doesn't make me a failure. If you choose one school and it isn't a good fit, maybe you could reconsider the other one the next semester.

Whatever you choose, good for you for thinking about the pros and cons of each school. It is wise.

[riksie-dixie]

That's what I think - I do the same when I have anxiety and it works a bit. My worry is that, if I don't like the farther-away college, that I'll end up being at home for five months because I have trouble finding a job... and trouble sticking with one. The longest I've been with a job is two months, only because it was temporary, but I loved it.