DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m the youngest of three girls, and I’m the least intelligent of the three. I’m going into my senior year of high school, which is the year everyone decides where they go to college. College has never been a question in my family or town -- it’s expected that you just go. However, I don’t want to go to college. I know that everyone would advise me to go, but I don’t want to. When I talk about this with my parents, they don’t listen because they think it’s ridiculous. I don’t know what would genuinely make me want to go. Is it that terrible that I don’t want to get a college degree? -- No College for Me, Tupelo, Mississippi

DEAR NO COLLEGE FOR ME: You are not a failure if you choose not to go to college. Your family is encouraging you because they probably know that the chances for a higher-paying job come with higher education. Just because you don’t go to college or don’t do it now doesn’t mean you can’t continue your education to sharpen your skills. Take some time to assess what you think you want to do with your life. What skills do you need to master that? Find a class or program to which you can enroll to refine your skills. This doesn’t have to be college. It can be a trade school or other specialized school that will give you the boost you need.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I live Manhattan with a roommate. We get along well and never have any major issues. I have a boyfriend who lives in California, and every now and then he will visit me. My roommate and I share a TV in the living room, so when one of us is out there, there is nowhere else to watch TV. I rarely ever watch it, but she always does.

When my boyfriend comes to visit and we want to watch a movie in the living room, I feel awkward asking her to move. It’s our communal area, but I don't think it’s fair that she always hogs it, primarily when my boyfriend comes to town. Do you think it’s rude if I ask her for some space so my boyfriend and I can watch a movie? -- Television Hog, New York City

DEAR TELEVISION HOG: You need to have a sit-down with your roommate. She seems to be either consciously or unconsciously trying to make it uncomfortable for you to have your boyfriend visit your home. Many roommates are territorial about boyfriends or girlfriends spending too much time at the shared home. By making the visit uncomfortable, your roommate is making it harder for your boyfriend to feel welcome in your home. You need to remind your roommate that your boyfriend visits infrequently and works hard to be respectful of her space. Let her know, too, that you want to create space in the TV area for when he does come over so that you two can have a bit of alone time in the living area.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My wife has cheated on me countless times, and I don’t know what to do anymore. This all started when we first got together. My gut feeling is that I should leave her, but something is stopping me. We have two beautiful daughters whom we both love deeply. I fear that due to our constant arguing, we are hurting them.

I want to do what is best for my family, which I think would be staying together with my wife, but I am unsure of how much longer my heart can bear this relationship. Any words of advice? -- Trying to Keep My Family Together, Little Rock, Arkansas

DEAR TRYING TO KEEP MY FAMILY TOGETHER: Yours is a story most commonly articulated by women, but nonetheless an unfortunate, pivotal issue in some troubled marriages. How will you face the infidelity that is crippling your family? Plenty of couples weather this storm and stay together. Infidelity does not have to mean an automatic end of your marriage.

You do need to face it head-on with your wife to figure out how to get past it. Otherwise, the two of you will continue to stew in your anger and discomfort, lashing out about other things rather than addressing the core concerns. This means you must drum up the courage to bring up this sore subject. Tell your wife what you know -- facts are important when talking about affair(s). Tell her what you know, how much it hurts you and that you still want to be together.

Ask your wife if she wants to stay married to you. If the answer is yes, ask her to work with you to strengthen your family bond. If you do not think you can continue to overlook her dalliances, tell her as much. Ask her if she is willing to turn her focus back on the marriage and cut off any extramarital engagements.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am an upcoming fashion designer trying to put my name out there. I’m struggling with trying to get people to notice me or even just give me a moment of their day. I’m trying to strengthen my communication skills so I can be heard by these people, but I am unsure how to go about this. I’ve tried prep tips such as talking to myself in the mirror. I think if I can master my communication skills, I will be able to kick-start my career and support myself financially.

Do you have any advice on ways I can get myself out there and enhance my communication skills at home so I am able to learn the ins and outs of the fashion industry? -- Helpless Designer, Atlanta

DEAR HELPLESS DESIGNER: Talking about your talents is important. One option to help you break out of your shell is Toastmasters, the group that helps with public speaking. Learn more at toastmasters.org. You must also think of ways to get people to pay attention to your designs. You can hire models to wear your clothing to public events and parties. Ask friends or family members who look the part to accompany you to events wearing your clothes. Let the clothes do the speaking.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been rejected from every job that I’ve applied for since graduating from college last month. I receive generic emails that say the companies have moved on to look at other candidates for the positions. I am eager to start working because all my friends have jobs.

I know that it hasn’t been that long, but I just want to start already. I’ve looked on different job websites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, etc. For some reason, nothing is working. I’ve had internship experiences and did well in school, but can’t seem to find anything. It’s embarrassing when people ask me what I've been up to and I have to say I'm looking for work. Am I ever going to get a job? -- Desperate to Work, Dallas

DEAR DESPERATE TO WORK: Take a deep breath and be still. Your attitude is essential to your success, and you cannot be desperate. That energy repels people. You want to make yourself attractive to a potential employer.

As you are continuing your search, look for a place to volunteer. Think of your interests and abilities, then identify a small business or other entity that does something you find appealing. Offer to be an intern or a volunteer for a few hours per week. Let the company know that you are looking for a job, so you may need a bit of flexibility with your time, but pitch yourself strongly as someone who wants to help. If you land a volunteer role, treat it as the highest-paid job ever. You never know. It could lead to a paying role.

Also, be patient. It can take many months before you land a job, based on hiring practices of late. Do not get discouraged. Keep looking. Stay positive and put yourself out there. Go to mixers and meetups for your industry. If you are out there, you may meet someone who can help you secure that important first job.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I don’t think marriage is for me. My boyfriend and I have been dating for seven years, and we are completely content with how our relationship has been going. We live together, and we have a healthy, stable relationship. However, I cannot seem to brush off the constant questioning of when we are going to get married by my friends and family. I don’t know how many times I have to tell them that we most likely will not be getting married because we don’t want to.

My parents think it’s the worst thing in the world that I don’t want to get married, but I just don’t see the need. I don’t know what I’m saying wrong -- for some reason, I continue to get asked the question by the same people. Will they ever stop questioning me about marriage? -- No Marriage for Me, Los Angeles

DEAR NO MARRIAGE FOR ME: Check in with your boyfriend to make sure that the two of you are on the same page. What’s most important is that you agree on how you want to live your life together. Talk about marriage and your feelings on the topic. Address whether you think you would ever want to get married, including if and when you have children.

Once you are crystal clear about your shared views, share them with your parents. If you do not intend to get married, draw that line in the sand. Tell your family pointedly that you have made up your mind. Ask them to stop asking you. Ultimately, stop answering the question.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)