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<li><p>I disagree with the suggestion not to get a job. My kids were much happier, in high school and in college, when they had jobs, and I don't think it affected their schoolwork negatively at all. (My older child's GPA went up considerably after she got a job, but the job wasn't responsible for that, either.) They liked the unaccountable spending money, the social interaction (with people who weren't 17-22 or teachers) and connection to a broader community, the different skill sets required, and the feeling of competence they got from it. Based on her experience, my daughter is recommending that her brother get a job immediately when he starts college rather than waiting until his second year as she did. Of course, your mileage may vary on this.</p></li>
<li><p>People raise a good point, camelia: Costs will go up by several thousands of dollars a year over the course of four years. You could probably get by without parental contribution this year, but you should absolutely get a clear agreement with your parents about their financial responsibility, because you are almost certain to need it in the future unless your financial aid expands to cover all the increase, which I suspect won't happen.</p></li>
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