It sounds like you might need to have a talk with your boyfriend. It’s obvious that you really care about him, and it might feel awkward to bring something like this up, but having an honest conversation about your relationship is super important so that both of you are on the same page. Long distance relationships can be really hard for both people; for more advice check out this article.

If your prescription is with a national pharmacy (like CVS), you may be able to get it transferred to a store that is close to your new school. Your doctor also might have some advice on how you can get birth control in college—don’t be afraid to ask at your next appointment or make a quick call to your doctor’s office.

Many colleges also have a health center where you can get birth control! If your school’s resources aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, look for a doctor or clinic that you can visit when you’re at school with our Clinic Locator.

Having open communication with parents is great. Before you approach your mom or dad, think about what you hope to get out of the conversation; an ok from them? Relaxed rules? Permission to see the guy? Having your goal clearly in mind will help you figure out what to say.

When you’re ready, you can approach it in a few ways. You may be more comfortable talking with one parent than with both. If you want to dive right in, it’s fine to tell your parents that you’re nervous (they may be too!) but that it makes you feel good to have parents you can talk to. Hopefully they will be thoughtful and patient in their response. But that means you have to be thoughtful and patient with them…try not to whine or complain and keep your voice level and controlled. Yelling, crying, screaming, and throwing a fit will not help your case.

Be aware that they may not react as you hoped, no matter how well you explain your situation. You should listen to what they have to say because it may give you new ways of thinking about things. But it also may be the case that you have to agree to disagree on this topic for now (and that you still have to obey their rules). Check out this article for more information about dating an older guy.

You should also consider having a conversation with the guy! While it’s true that not all guys are just looking for sex , it’s important that you two are on the same page if you want to date. And even though you didn’t mention whether or not you’re ready to have sex, it’s worth keeping in mind that your relationship can be just as strong and meaningful without sex—not having sex is the best, most effective way of making sure you don’t get someone pregnant or get/pass an STD. And lots of people aren’t sexually active—even if they brag or act like they ARE having sex.

It’s great that you’re so thoughtful about becoming sexually active and taking the next step with your boyfriend…sex is a big deal. There are a number of physical and emotional consequences that can come from having sex too soon, so it’s important to carefully consider whether you’re ready. Before anything happens, you need to have a talk with your boyfriend about safe sex—it can feel a little bit awkward to bring this up, but it’s really important that you both are on the same page, especially if you feel that you’re being pressured to have sex.

If you do decide to become sexually active, birth control is an absolute must. There are lots of different methods like the birth control pill, patch, ring, shot (Depo Provera), or even a long acting method like the implant or IUD. You can find out about the different methods using our Birth Control Explorer. One thing to keep in mind is that you have to see a doctor to get these methods and they take a few days to become effective…but waiting a little bit more is SO much better than risking a pregnancy scare. If you need to find a doctor or clinic, you can check out our Health Center Finder.

Even if you’re using another method, condoms are super important when it comes to STD and pregnancy prevention—and those concerns really are more important than your boyfriend’s claim about ruining the mood. If your boyfriend is pressuring you to have sex without a condom—or to have sex before/when you’re not ready—then he might not be the right guy . A good partner should care about keeping the both of you safe—even if that means slowing down the action!

Saying no is no problem, so if you don’t feel ready, or don’t think your boyfriend is taking protection seriously, then wait! There’s no timeline for sex.

Dating an older guy is definitely really tempting, especially if you’ve known him for a while, but such a large age gap isn’t always as exciting as it seems. Also, long distance relationships can be really hard, especially if you’re starting a relationship only a few months before being separated, so it might be better for both of you guys in the long run to remain friends. He’s going to be meeting a lot of new people in college, and if you go to college you will too.

It sounds corny, but being genuine is a great way to figure out if there’s potential for a relationship between you and this guy! If you’re putting on a fake persona because it’s what you think he likes, you might come across as insincere, or you might end up in a relationship with someone that you really don’t have common interests with. Be yourself, and if this guy only likes you as a friend, there is another guy out there who will be interested in the real you!

I say go for your dream school! It’s really hard, but you’re both at an age where it’s time to start thinking about your future. It sounds like your boyfriend has set some goals for himself that mean he’s going to be further away from you. Don’t let his choices change who you want to be. Picking a college and leaving home is a big decision, and should be about what is best for you, not what is best for him. Long distance relationships are hard, but they can work if both partners are fully invested…and if they don’t work, that’s ok too. Life is full of surprises and tough decisions and learning how to navigate them is what makes you an adult.

It’s clear that you have thought a lot about this and have come to the same conclusion that we have: sex is a big deal and carefully considering whether you’re ready is super important. Honestly, it sounds like you don’t feel ready—and that’s perfectly ok and totally normal. There’s no timeline for sex, and there’s nothing romantic about sexual pressure. A freshman in college is in a way different emotional place than a freshman in high school! When your boyfriend was your age he wasn’t ready for sex either, so be honest with him and explain that you’re not ready.