<p>When my daughter wanted a dog, but we were not in a position to own one, we spent time volunteering at a nearby shelter. It was a " win- win" for both us and the dogs - we got to spend some time loving on dogs and the shelter got much needed volunteer hours. You could see if there are any shelters in your area that need dog walkers.</p>
<p>I was also going to suggest volunteering at a shelter. I recently lost my beloved dog of 16 years and am moving, so rather than put a dog through that transition (and to preserve my housing options for now) I am volunteering at a shelter. You could also make money as a dog walker or sit for dogs in their homes (I am also doing that). I completely understand your craving for a dog. My own child is possibly going to school in Europe and has the same craving. She loves dogs and anticipates being lonely. However, like you, she needs to think the expense, the time and work, the limits on housing, the limits on activities and travel and most especially on the life of the dog.</p>
<p>As for living alone while going to school: I have done it, but not next door to a relative. Living next door to your sister should be fine unless she had indicated that she doesn’t want you dropping by. Use that room, provided by her, to ease yourself into life in a new place and into college life. Don’t hide in your room. Try to make connections, join clubs, study in the library or somewhere else on campus and so on.</p>
<p>Please understand that the anxiety you are feeling is very natural. Anyone would feel it and it reflects realistic worries that will most likely not be substantiated once there. It will get better. Is there any way you can visit before you actually move? Do you have photos so you can envision where you will be if you cannot visit? </p>
<p>I hope this move and your new school will be satisfying and wish you luck!</p>
<p>Sorry cannot edit…meant “needs to think about”…</p>
<p>There might be some neighbors who’ll need pet-sitting. . .
or how about offering to babysit for your sister’s kids or take them on an outing occasionally?<br>
If you’re worried about being lonely, get involved in some activities or clubs at your school.</p>
<p>Yes! Thank you. 
My cousin said it would be hard for me to make friends right away at the community college I’ll be attending because it’s a community college and most of the people there come straight out of the same high school so friends and cliques have already been made. But there are of course many people who will be in the same position as me who know absolutely no one! Thanks a lot! What I am concerned about is coming home alone and sleeping alone and waking up alone (does that sound immature?) since I’m so used to being smothered by my parents almost every time of the day. It’s going to be very different so I want to at least have a companion, a dog, to be with me by my side. But that’s a good idea. Volunteering at a shelter sounds fine with me :)</p>
<p>Please don’t get a dog! My daughter is in a school where there are some pet-friendly dorms (rabbits, gerbils, but no dogs or cats) and even she realized that she couldn’t take care of an animal while studying and going to class. </p>
<p>Just focus on your studies and then, after you have finished and have a job that pays well enough to afford vet bills, think about getting a dog. The food can be very expensive and a single annual checkup with appropriate shots can cost hundreds of dollars.</p>
<p>You may find it helpful to have a TV or radio on when you are home alone.</p>
<p>Judging from the other threads, this OP cannot AFFORD to attend a Cal StaTe. He would be an OOS student, with OOS tuition costs plus room/board. As I recall, the CC route was goi g to be less costly.</p>
<p>OP…what about looking for an apartment share on Craigslist or the like? Many folks find roommates this way. Also, since the cc does not have dorms, perhaps there are apartment complexes where students typically reside. Look there too.</p>
<p>Second looking for a roommate.</p>
<p>Definitely look for a roommate, one or two other college students; it would be more companionship for you and less upkeep 
Too bad the CSU + dorm option is too expensive. :s</p>
<p>I’m not sure that looking for a roommate is a good idea. This is not a dorm situation, where it’s relatively easy to switch roommates if the two people turn out to be incompatible. Selecting good roommates for apartments is a sophisticated skill. The OP may not be ready to try yet.</p>
<p>How about getting a cat, if that’s allowed in this apartment? Cats require much less attention than dogs do, and having one around would ease the feeling of aloneness.</p>
<p>hichristen - OK, so it sounds like you are going to a community college, hence no dorm and living in the apt next door to your sister, hence dog might be okay because they may be able to watch it if you return home, but since they are there, you may not even need to go home… </p>
<p>As I’ve gone to visit campuses with my daughter, all the student guides have said that you need to get involved in the school; join clubs, do sports, immerse yourself, hang out at the school to get the most out of it. It will be tempting to use the school like a commuter school, that is to get up, go to classes, leave right away, and come home, since you do have a home technically w/other people, but you may want to force yourself not to do that in order to make new friends.</p>
<p>I went to a commuter school in the city that I lived in, so I truly only used it to take classes. I lived at home, drove to school, went to work right afterwards, came home to do homework, repeat. My friends were all from church or high school and prior, so I wasn’t forced to make more friends. I suspect that a lot of the students you will meet are going to be like that, so the suggestion is to widen the number of people you come in contact with. Hang out for lunch, find out what they do outside of school, etc. This is a skill that will help you later in life as well as you take on new jobs, relocate to other places, so it’s not a bad thing. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>thumper1, thanks for noticing! Haha, it’s true. I can’t afford a Cal State. (And I’m a girl…) I would look for a roommate… but I would have to look deeply into it. My best friend is looking at going to community college in New York but I’m hoping she considers California. If she does we’d room together.</p>
<p>Marian, NO! Thank you though for the advice, but I am allergic to cats, and all my experiences with them have been horrible. :(</p>
<p>boltnut55, yes, you got it. Thank you so much! I know it’s going to be hard making friends at a community college (as my cousin said - he said that he sees most of his high school friends in college and they all hang out in the same cliques and groups) because a lot of people are coming straight out of the local high school. I hope to fit in!</p>
<p>If you’re a girl, apply to Mills.
This is the collegedata page for Mills: <a href=“https://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg01_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=1115[/url]”>https://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg01_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=1115</a>
and their website: [Liberal</a> Arts College | Colleges in California | Mills College](<a href=“http://www.mills.edu/]Liberal”>http://www.mills.edu/)
Depending on your stats, you may get sufficient financial aid to attend - women’s colleges typically are more generous than average. Also, housing is guaranteed for all freshmen and the campus is very nice. At worst, if the financial aid doesn’t pan out, you can still fall back on your community college plan, so there’s no risk for you.</p>
<p>OP, did you consider any schools on the WICHE/WUE list? If you are from Guam, you are eligible.</p>
<p>twoinanddone, what WICHE/WUE list?</p>
<p>[WICHE</a> | Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education](<a href=“2014 Annual Report: WICHE - WICHE”>http://www.wiche.edu/)</p>
<p>it is an educational consortium of colleges that allow students from western states to attend at reduced tuition (150% of instate tuition). Some of the schools accept transfers, but some only allow freshmen to apply.</p>