DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel like I am addicted to the Internet. I do everything on the computer -- surf the Web, watch TV and movies, listen to music, even interact with my friends through Facebook, Skype and instant messaging. I don't want to become a couch potato, but the Internet is so important to my life and the lives of most of my friends that it is almost as if I don't have a choice but to use the computer a lot.

How can I limit my computer usage without falling behind socially? -- Plugged In, Flint, Mich.

DEAR PLUGGED IN: I have a revolutionary idea: Use the Internet to invite your friends to meet you at a place where you can physically be in one another's company. Make the activity appealing so that your friends will be intrigued enough to show up. Once the event is successful, it will be easier to get people to come out for another activity.

Essentially, you will be reminding people how rewarding shared, face-to-face experiences can be.

Additionally, I recommend that you ration your time on the Internet. Decide that you will step away from the computer for social encounters, for rest, for chores and for you-time independent of it. I believe your social contacts will be curious about why you aren't as plugged in as before and seek you out. You may win bigger than you can even imagine.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a high school senior, and I plan to attend a four-year university in the fall. I am supposed to be designating my preferred housing option now, including whether I want a roommate. At my school, if one requests a single room, he or she will probably get it.

I am tempted to ask for a single because I would appreciate the space and privacy. However, nearly all freshmen live in doubles or triples, and I am afraid I will be missing out on the quintessential first-year experience if I don't have a roommate. Is it worth sacrificing the convenience of a single? -- Future Freshman

DEAR FUTURE FRESHMAN: The good news is that you probably don't have to have a roommate all four years, since as a freshman you are being given the option of a single room. (Many colleges and universities require freshmen to have at least one roommate.)

Since you are intrigued by the social experience of welcoming a roommate, I say, go for it. Be aware that you may have a broad range of experiences -- from fun and exciting to frustrating and boring. Savor them all. Then, when your sophomore year comes, you can decide if you want to share again or go solo.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who is active on Facebook -- always updating her status, writing on friends' walls and posting photos of her activities. A lot of the times, the photos she puts up are of her at parties and other events. I am sure she would not want a family member or employer to see some of these pictures, but she evidently hasn't really thought about this, as she continues to post unsavory pictures of herself.

Frankly, I don't care what she does in her free time, but I don't want her to get hurt because she put a bad picture on Facebook. How do I suggest that she take down these pictures without sounding like I am judging her? -- Paranoid, Kalamazoo, Mich.

DEAR PARANOID: The best way to be a friend to this person is to be honest and upfront about your concerns. Tell her that you understand she loves to use social media but that you have learned employers surf the Internet to learn whether potential employees have the desired scruples and moral fortitude.

The reality is that what people do in their spare time DOES matter. Everything you do matters to your life and the quality of experiences that you can enjoy. That means that how you document what you do is key to contemplate.

Naturally, everybody makes mistakes sometimes. However, I would strongly suggest to your friend that she remove any questionable material from her Facebook page and, more, that she consider curbing any actions that may be considered unsavory.

If your friend thinks she must keep questionable images and comments posted, suggest she restrict access to "Friends" only. But let her know that even with restricted access, someone can take a screen shot and share it with others. So the best decision would be to take down the unsavory content immediately.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My senior prom is coming up, and I see that all the girls going are spending tons of money on dresses. I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount on a dress that I'm going to wear only once, but I also don't want to be embarrassed if my dress is clearly the cheapest one there. What should I do? -- Prudent Student, Gallup, N.M.

DEAR PRUDENT STUDENT: You are wise to want to spend your money carefully. Guess what? You can rent a high-end dress -- one you would probably never consider if you were going to buy a dress outright.

One of the popular websites that rent high-end clothing is www.renttherunway.com. You can find a wide array of fashion options there at extremely affordable prices, starting at $40.

Typically, you select a dress in your size and a size up. You have to return the items within seven days. It's a brilliant alternative to breaking your bank.

My former intern used Rent the Runway recently and was very pleased -- and she didn't see anyone wearing the same dress.

Additionally, you can embellish a dress you already have with fancy accessories. You don't have to be wearing the most fabulous outfit in the room to enjoy yourself. And you don't have to go cheap just because your resources are limited.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a phobia of writing. I have a million and one ideas in my head, but I am afraid to put them on paper because of the potential grammatical errors. For example, writing a three-paragraph letter normally should take about 30 minutes. It will take me about an hour.

I would like to overcome my fear of writing. Can you offer some advice? -- Writer's Block, Queens, N.Y.

DEAR WRITER'S BLOCK: I actually think you are suffering from a tremendous fear of inadequacy more than writer's block, which occurs when your brain freezes and no thoughts come forth.

The best way to gain confidence in your writing ability is to enroll in classes that will support you. Take a basic grammar course and build a strong vocabulary, step by step. Then take a series of writing classes, starting with the simplest class you can find. Your goal is not to challenge yourself yet but to learn the fundamentals. If you can afford it, find a tutor who will work with you one-on-one to refine your skills.

By all means, go to the library and check out books on language use. Study them daily so that you immerse yourself in language building. If you remain dedicated to learning, with the proper support and commitment, you will improve your ability.

DEAR HARRIETTE: A high school friend and I had a falling-out recently. It's pretty obvious that the friendship is now over. She unfriended me on Facebook without provocation weeks after we'd actually had any sort of conversation. We're in the same group of friends, though. Chances are that we'll still have to see each other and that other friends will notice the tension, since we used to be pretty close.

How can I explain the situation to our fellow friends if they ask to avoid as much awkwardness as possible? --Flummoxed, Laredo, Texas

DEAR FLUMMOXED: I wouldn't rush to report that you and this former friend have parted ways. Wait until it naturally comes up. You will only ignite more interest in your fractured relationship if you bring everyone into it.

If and when your friends ask about the breakup, do your best to stay positive, and keep the details to a minimum. Acknowledge that you two have parted ways but that you still care about her.

You could ask your friends to be sensitive to the fact that you are on the outs. Ask them to avoid putting the two of you directly together in social settings whenever possible.

That said, I think you should prepare yourself to see this former friend and behave cordially. You might even want to apologize to her for your part in the falling-out that ended the friendship. It doesn't matter if she was at fault, too. I'm sure you are sorry your close relationship is over.