Dear Dina,

I’m a senior in high school and graduation is only in a few weeks. I have always been unsure about graduation, but as it is getting closer I am becoming even more scared. I am excited to graduate, but at the same time I’m not. Is it normal to be so afraid? College scares me even more because I won’t know anybody. What should I do?

Sincerely,

Scared to Graduate

Dear Scared to Graduate,

It is perfectly normal to be scared of graduating. It is a big step and an important stepping stone in your life. It’s overwhelming because your life will definitely change after you graduate, but it will change for the better. College is a lot of fun and you will meet a lot of new and interesting people.

Don’t worry, though, because your friends from high school will still be there for you. Now you will have the opportunity to make even more friends and do even more exciting things.

I think you’re afraid of graduating because then the fact that you are done with high school and have to move on to a whole new school becomes reality. Once you graduate, you have to move on.

Try not to think about any negative things, but focus on the positives. Good luck, and congratulations!

Sincerely,

Click to visit their website

Dina

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Dear Dina,

My boyfriend and I have been in a relationship now for almost a year. I’ve been very happy with the relationship, until lately. I have slowly started to develop feelings for someone else. This other person is actually one of my boyfriend’s good friends. I don’t know if I should take the risk of going after this other boy or if I should continue to stay in my current relationship.

I’m so confused and don’t know what to do. What would you suggest?

Sincerely,

Confused Feelings

Dear Confused Feelings,

What you need to do is look at both guys. What attracted you to your current boyfriend, and what attracted you to this new guy of interest?

Are you willing to risk a good relationship for one that you aren’t sure will last?

You need to really think about the situation and choose the guy that you feel will make you the happiest. If you don’t have feelings for your boyfriend, then it’s not fair to stay in the relationship and lead him on until you make your decision.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

Dina

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Dear Dina,

I moved to a new school about four months ago. It was hard to adjust at first because I didn’t know anyone. I did make some friends though. At least I thought I did. The other day, I overheard them talking about my one friend’s birthday party, which was supposed to be the big event of the weekend. However, I had not been invited.

I figured it was because I was new or something, but it really hurt because I thought they were my friends.

After that weekend everyone was talking about the party in school. It seemed as if I was the only one who didn’t go. I’m still really upset about it and I don’t know what to do.

Sincerely,

Left Out

Dear Left Out,

I am sorry to hear that your new friends didn’t include you in the party. It sounds to me like they aren’t good friends. If they were your friends, they would have invited you to the party. Try talking to some other people and make some new friends.

Join some activities in your school to meet people who share similar interests as yourself. Being the new kid at school can be tough, but you’ll find a good group of friends who will treat you with respect and include you when they do things outside of school.

I hope things get better for you.

Sincerely,

Dina

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Dina Perazone, a 2006 graduate of Roxbury Central School, recently finished her freshman year at the State University College at Geneseo. You can send your questions to Dina by mail c/o The Daily Star P.O. Box 250, Oneonta, NY 13820 or by sending e-mail to punkrockrrr13@hotmail.com.