Question: I'm getting ready to start choosing universities,...

As for where to start it's all about research research research. Hit the web and start looking up schools, or if you haven't graduated yet, go to your guidance counselor and ask for help doing a search

I agree with everything everyone said here, so far. I, like you, didn't know what I wanted to do with my life when I started college so i chose a college in a city and campus that I liked. It also had a lot of degrees that I could see myself getting;. If you don't know what to do maybe you can do this too.

I think it was great for me to pick a location and a school that I liked that had varied opportunities. I met some of the best friends i've ever had at college and am still friends with them today. I also studied abroad and was a resident advisor, two things that changed who i was for the better. What I thought I wanted to do with my life career wise also changed due to my experiences while in college, so what you think you want today may not be what you will end up wanting to do upon graduating. So maybe choosing a school in a city you've always wanted to live in is for you or choosing a school with great programs.....

As for your boyfriend, I think if you two are really meant to be together that you will work it out. I know two people who met while studying abroad she lives in greece and he lives in the states and they're making it work. But I don't think you should forego the opportunity of going to college for your boyfriend. I know it's cliche but it's also true, that college is about so much more than the classes. You learn more about yourself as a person than you do academics. Dorming is a great, admittedly trying, experience and getting involved on campus can help you decide what career you want, or don't want!

Good luck deciding!

I agree that going to university can be important, especially if your parents feel that it is, and you want to go. If you dont know what to do, you can start with a general degree and see what subjects you like and then transfer into something more specific.

Also remember that you can take time off during your degree. I took a year off and when I came back I found it so much easier to know what I wanted to do! You can spend the time travelling, getting some work experience in the areas you are interested in, or just trying to work out who you are and where you want to go in life.

In regards to your boyfriend, imagine that in 10 years time you didnt go to uni (which you seem to want to do), because you were worried about your relationship. Would you blame him for this? Im not saying you would (its a possibility), but you need to be happy that you have lived your life without people stopping you from doing what you want.

Good luck choosing something!!

Getting a secondary education is so valuable. For many careers, you won't be qualified for them unless you have a secondary degree. Also, the experience that you will have will be worthwhile. You're still young. You don't need to know what you want to do right now. But you can explore by taking classes, and you'll make great connections that might set you up with your career. I wouldn't worry about making that leap alone. You're changing so much right now. You're going to make new friends when you go to school. As for the boyfriend, let's be realistic. You're both young. You probably won't get married.

But if you are meant to be together forever, then the distance won't matter. If you're concerned about him cheating on you, then your relationship isn't secure or healthy anyways.

Bottom line, study at a university. Don't let your boyfriend of now, or not knowing what you want to pursue deter you. Just research universities that have some interesting programs you might consider studying and apply.