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Jaime Simpson

My boyfriend is a year older than me and is leaving to go to university in Australia next month. I don't know how to talk to him about how worried I am that he will forget me. What's the best way to approach this?

Kaz

Dear Kaz,

The easiest way to handle anything is with honesty. The best thing to do is to talk openly  with your boyfriend face to face, not through text messages or e-mails.

When you do bring it up, make sure you have enough time to talk about it thoroughly.  Ten minutes is not enough as things are likely to remain  unresolved.

You will need to talk about how you are both going to respect each other during this time, what your boundaries will be, and how you both need the other person to communicate.

It's difficult when someone as close as a boyfriend moves away.

But   there are many ways to keep in contact: webcams, texts, e-mails, skype, blogs and cheap phone cards to name a few.

You must remember that you are an individual and can choose your own happiness.

I know many people who have lasted through long-distance relationships.

It's good to remember that it will be hard for him as well, and he is probably experiencing other emotions too -  excitement, sadness and nervousness.

He will be moving to a new country and having to make new friends. As a girlfriend, you should support him.

Jaime

I am 16 and good at maths and science. My parents want me to do something in life that relates to this but I love playing computer games. I am good at them and think it would be great to design them.

I don't know what to choose to do when I finish school. Please help.

Ma Dear Ma,

It's great that you are looking at your skills, talents and the things that you enjoy to choose a career path. All of these are important.

Sometimes we enjoy and are good at things  that won't end up being our full-time career. For example, my husband loves mountain bike riding,  but this isn't his full-time career - it's a  hobby that makes his life  fun and interesting.

Life would be boring if all we did was work or study and have no other interests.

Computer games for you may be like my husband's mountain bike riding - something that will give you enjoyment  but not end up as your chosen career. Or it might be the one occupation that  brings you total job satisfaction.

You still have a couple of years  before you  have to make university choices, so don't rule out possibilities too early.



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