Hey, Cherie!

I'm been back at school for only two weeks, but I am behind in my classes. I am in an unusual situation — I am a 16-year-old who is already at college. Last year, I applied for a program called Early Admission, which is for kids who are in 11th grade. This means I started college, even though I am only 16. I will be 17 in November.

It is weird living in a dorm with other freshmen that are 17, 18 or even 20. My roommate is 18 and she treats me like a kid. In some ways, I am still a kid: I am still a virgin (I don't mind saying that), I don't drink and I have never tried drugs that these students use. I think that I am as smart as the college students, but I am a little freaked out going to the university.

I am behind in my classes, and I miss my family because my college is about 200 miles from my hometown. Do you have any tips for me? I haven't had an hour exam yet, but I am dreading it already.

— Started at 16

Hey, Started!

Good grief. What's your hurry? Starting college at age 18 is challenging enough. Not only is it light years away from high school in terms of what you are studying, it is far away from high school in terms of your peers. Your college has students that are 20, 21, 22 or even 23. And there you are at 16.

What's the rush? Look, teens that are 14 and 15 can handle college academically, but that's different from managing it overall. You've worked hard enough to be able to go at 16; however, that doesn't mean you should be there.

It sounds to me that several issues are occurring, which means it makes sense to me that you might consider withdrawing — it is not shameful — and starting again next year. This year you can do something amazing: work for Habitat for Humanity, go to Israel, learn Chinese or live at home and earn some money. There are a zillion great options; time is on your side so make the most of it.

Hey, Cherie!

Have you ever become addicted to a certain food? I am currently obsessed with pistachio nuts. Every day I bring a bag of them to school, and they are pretty expensive. I am not overweight; I just love these nuts. But my pockets are now all full of shells, and it's getting a little weird.

How can I break the pistachio habit?

— Hooked on Nuts

Hey, Hooked!

Have I ever gotten hooked? Let me count the ways: Red Bull, protein bars, beef jerky. And, as a kid, various different cold cereals. These cravings tend to play out, and it's only a problem if you find yourself eating the same item at every meal for an extended length of time.

Meanwhile, try to buy those pistachios in bulk. Costco, anyone?

To find out more about Cherie Bennett and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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