I Will Soon Depart on a Great American Adventure. Any Advice?

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Hello, I'm Steve, and I've posted a little bit here over the past two years, but have mainly lurked.

In the early fall, or late summer, I will be departing on a Great American Adventure. I'm past the point where I will be talked out of it, so don't bother telling me what I'm doing is just stupid and irresponsible, because I've heard it, and I don't really care.

I was provided with the opportunity to go to college by my parents, and I was very appreciative of it. Neither of them had enough money to go to college. I would have to go to a school in Pennsylvania, my home state, though, unless I got enough scholarship money to go elsewhere.

Now, I have a girlfriend in St. Paul, Minnesota, who I love very much. We've been going out for well over a year, and we've been friends for longer. So I applied to the University of Minnesota. Because I'm a moron, I missed the scholarship application by a bit. I applied anyway, and still got a decent amount of money for an academic scholarhip. Not quite enough though. Plus, you have to figure room and board in too.

So, I've decided that after this summer, I'm going to take all the money that I have in the bank, and I'm going to move to Minnesota. I plan on going to college there after a year, and my dad is sort of upset at me, because he skipped a year between high school and college, and wound up never going to college. But that's him.

So, come this September, I plan on living in Minnesota. 1,100 miles away from my family and friends. A great american adventure if there ever was one. Leaving everything you know, for love. Maybe it's stupid, but like I said, that's okay. I'm willing to do something stupid if it will make me happy.

I just wanted to share my story with DU. Because I think it's a sort of interesting one. If anybody has any advice for me, I'd be glad to take it.

Steve

[roguevalley]

1. Go and enjoy. But remember your goals. Life may seem long but time

passes quickly. Have fun, get your education and take care.

[DODI]

2. Go for it!!

[LynneSin]

3. Why not take some college classes locally

I know you'll be working most of the time to save up money, but you surely should be able to fit a few classes in at your local community college. Find out what classes you'll be taking when you get to Minnesota and then pick a few of the basic ones to take at the community college.

First, this will keep you in that college attending mode. Second, you might get a semesters worth of classes out of the way and finally classes are pretty inexpensive at community college. Check with UMinn to make sure you can transfer the credits, but you might be able to get your language, english or other non-major classes out of the way. And more importantly, if you take a few classes you'll keep your dad happy by starting college now and not waiting!

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4. This is something that I have definitely considered...

And will look into.

[LynneSin]

5. I think this will really appease your father if you went now!!

And seriously, who wants to pay big bucks for those measily classes you have to take but aren't vital to your major!

[jdonaldball]

6. Take your time on the trip out there

If you just take a plane you'll miss too much.

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7. Yep, I was hoping to rent a car or take a bus.

And see the scenery. It's such a pretty ride.