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mary-jo-podgurski

Is it love or something else?

Q. I’m not sure how to handle this. I really like my boyfriend but I don’t love him. He tells me he loves me all the time and I say “I love you too.” I feel horrible. Should I tell him? Should I just break up with him? Should I keep on with this lying? – 15-year-old Mary Jo’s ...

Choose career that’s right for you

Q. I have a lot of friends who graduated. I’m a senior this year. My friends are pretty much all going to college in the next weeks. My mom keeps saying how next year I’ll be doing the same thing. But I want to go to cosmetology school. I went to tech the last two years and I’m good at ...

Pack smart for college

Q. I’m leaving for college in a few weeks. I’m excited about so many things, but one of the biggest is having only one roommate. See, I share a room with two siblings, and I have 3 more siblings younger than me. I can’t wait for less noise! I love them and I’m sure I’ll miss them, but ...

No timeline to grief

Q: I'm writing even though I'm far from a teen, but I believe you will respond. You taught me in middle and high school. I remember you fondly. I learned about life from you. We discussed relationships, communication, sexuality and an awareness of my body, all while focusing on self-worth. I ...

Rising above a toxic home life

Q. I leave for college in 5 weeks and I’m not coming back. I know that sounds dramatic. Here’s the truth. My parents are toxic. I live with adults who are mean and unkind to each other and to me. My two older siblings left home for college and never returned; they only connect with me. I ...

Keeping in tune with today’s slang

Q. I feel so dumb. Everyone I know seems to know slang and I have no idea. How can I keep up with slang? – 14-year-old Mary Jo’s Response: What an interesting question! I’m not surprised you’re curious about slang – it seems to change rapidly. Slang is a type of social code. It ...