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Dr. M is the author of five advice books for tweens and teens. Her latest is Where Should I Sit at Lunch? The Ultimate 24/7 Guide to Surviving the High School Years. She enjoys dancing, reading, working out and talking with young people about the issues that concern them. She holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology.
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Liz, a first-year college student, is the co-author of three books: Ask Dr. M and Liz; Getting to Know the Real You: 50 Fun Quizzes Just for Girls, and Girls: What's So Bad About Being Good? She loves to dance, paint, make collages, hang out with friends and, of course, give advice.
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Dear Dr. M & Liz,
I can't decide whether to go to boarding school next year. I really want to go because I think it'll be fun and I'll make lots of good friends. I also want to go because the school I'm at right now isn't very academically challenging and I want to be in more of a university prep environment. I'm worried, however, about the financial strain it'll put on my parents. The school is really expensive and my dad already works nights and weekends as it is. I'll also miss my friends a lot if I go. Please help!
—Amy, 13, Canada
Dear Amy,
You have a hard decision to make, but you can't make it alone. Before you spend too much time thinking about going to boarding school, find out whether that's a possibility your parents are willing to consider. If they are open to boarding school for you, weigh the pros and cons carefully with them. What factors are most important? The adventure of living away from home? The academically challenging environment? Keeping your friends close by? Family finances? If you and your family decide that boarding school is not an option at this time, ask your parents to help you find opportunities for more challenging schoolwork. For example, you could take online courses for gifted students run by universities or you could attend after-school science programs.
—Dr. M
Dear Amy,
This seems like something you should talk to your parents about. Ask your parents if they would be able to handle the cost of sending you to boarding school. You might also want to find out if the boarding school offers any scholarships, or if there is any other way you can get money for tuition. If you do end up going to boarding school, you will make new friends there and will probably still be able to stay in contact with your friends from home. If you don't go to boarding school, you can find ways to challenge yourself outside of school. You can ask your parents if they have any ideas for ways to do so.
—Liz
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