Question: What do I need to to know/do...

that it's gonna be hell hard, but you can do it if you really want/need to.
make sure you have some support before you take off though, if it's not your family, than friends........ like, older, established friends who can be a shoulder to lean on, a couch to cry on, a home-cooked meal when your exams are due. that kind of thing. trust me, youl need it.

otherwise, id just say try to orginise things well before you leave, find a job (if you dont have one already) get your apartment sorted, have some savings in the bank, cos, seriously, your gonna need them. with the study, and probably having to work aswell, its gonna be intense, but im sure you'l make it..........

ive just turned 18 an have been out of home for 1 1/2 yrs....... studying for most of that time. ive had a lot of parental support, and ive really needed it at times. it hasnt been easy, but it's the best thing ive ever done........wouldnt ever change it....... or go back.

best of luck honey....... its an exciting (scary) adventure....... hope it all goes well.

It used to be the norm for kids to move out at 17 & 18. Nowadays people live with their parents up until 25, sometimes later for some people.

I think 18 years of loving and providing for their kids is enough for some people. If a person is mature and responsible enough to move out and has the money and sources to do so, then I think it's acceptable. I moved out at 18, not out of spite, I'm very close with my parents but I was ready to take care of myself. A parents love won't end when their child moves out. :)

If you're being physically abused, then you SHOULD get out of there.

Once she turns 18, she's free to go.

If you just want your independence, that's fine! Make sure you stay in high school until graduation next year though. I know that's what you're planning to do, but sometimes it's hard to push yourself through it when you're on your own.

It's a learning process, moving out for the first time. At first, you may feel a little lost but if you keep at it, you'll be okay.

no one ever mentioned physical abuse to way to throw that into the mix at random. and a lot of 17 year olds think having to live with cerfews or their parents rules is terrible and dont appriciate that their parents love and provide for them. i never once said that physical abuse was a joke.

"know that living with your parents isnt as bad as u t hink"
No, it is. Physical abuse isn't a joke y'know.

Avoid credit cards if at all possible. Unless you are well-funded or are really disciplined, learn to live on what you have. The reality is you can be happier as a poor college student than as a well-off, fully functioning adult if you economize, prioritize and appreciate what you have (time, youth, opportunity, and friendship). Try to avoid excessive school loans too. All of these contribute to bills that can tie you down in the future.
Also...go to class. Skipping only leads to more skipping. Enjoy school but finish it and move on in the end with your degree in hand.
Travel, when and where possible. Trust me, that trip to Australia or the Bahamas is worth eating Ramen noodles.
Cooking for yourself (and friends) can be educational and fun. It also doesn't happen to be expensive necessairily. Check out Dave Lieberman and Melissa D'Arabian (spelling?) on Food Network if you don't believe me. You can always have a couple nights a week where you and your friends pool your resources and you cook for them . Companionship, laughter and good food go great together.

Avoid credit cards if at all possible. Unless you are well-funded or are really disciplined, learn to live on what you have. The reality is you can be happier as a poor college student than as a well-off, fully functioning adult if you economize, prioritize and appreciate what you have (time, youth, opportunity, and friendship). Try to avoid excessive school loans too. All of these contribute to bills that can tie you down in the future.
Also...go to class. Skipping only leads to more skipping. Enjoy school but finish it and move on in the end with your degree in hand.
Travel, when and where possible. Trust me, that trip to Australia or the Bahamas is worth eating Ramen noodles.
Cooking for yourself (and friends) can be educational and fun. It also doesn't happen to be expensive necessairily. Check out Dave Lieberman and Melissa D'Arabian (spelling?) on Food Network if you don't believe me. You can always have a couple nights a week where you and your friends pool your resources and you cook for them . Companionship, laughter and good food go great together.

Make sure you have enough money for everything, if your still in highschool its gonna be hard to work enough to make enough money for rent, groceries, utility's, emergency costs. It costs about 1500$ a month to live on your own depending on how much your rent is.

Start saving now so you have a good amount of savings incase something happens!

you should wait to move out unless that moving out is to college. its hard living on your own and stuggeling to pay bills for the first time on its own let alone the added weight of trying to get through school. know that living with your parents isnt as bad as u t hink, it might seem like hell now, but its not that bad. life on your own is expensive. i never thought id have to go through so much just to pay the bills and put gas in my car there were days my fridge was completely empty when i first started out on my own. i never realized how much i would have to sacrifice. i hope you have a job right now and that you're saving money, because even living in a dorm you will end up spending a lot. save as much money as you can before you move out because life has a lot of hidden fees.

I have the same question! (Except I've got a year or two...)
Now I'm assuming the obvious, all your school stuff for college, house items, furniture, and other helpful items that will help you stay organized. But it also never hurt to bring the fun stuff like DVDs, mini fridge [referring to dorms if that's where you're going], a bike , bus and metro passes, etc. Just don't forget to BREATHE. This will be your moment of freedom, and that's what parents are for-- just stay in touch. They'll guide you.