DEAR HARRIETTE: I had a close friend group in high school that consisted of one group of girls and another group of guys. I maintained good relationships with everyone during my freshman year of college. Last summer, one of my friends and her boyfriend of three years broke up. Her boyfriend did not inform the guys about their relationship troubles, leading many of them to “choose his side.” As a result, the groups split, which was odd considering that our friendships were separate from my friends’ relationship.

One of the guys I was friends with has a little brother who goes to my college. We became good friends a couple of months ago. My old friend, his brother, is visiting and wants to catch up. However, we have had no contact since our friends broke up. Should I risk making it really awkward by addressing how upset it makes me that we do not speak anymore due to a situation that we had no involvement in? -- Reconnecting Friends

DEAR RECONNECTING FRIENDS: Start by just getting together with your old friend. See where the conversation goes. Rather than initially confronting him, tell him that you have missed him. See where he takes the conversation. Talk about your college experiences and what you have learned since you last spent time together. Ease into your disappointment about how your friendship broke off. If he is willing to discuss the situation, go for it. If not, decide if you can resume your friendship without unpacking the drama from the past.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I got my associate's degree when I graduated from 12th grade. I got a full ride to college that also included my housing for all four years, though I only need two. Now that I am in college, I realize that I want to switch my major. I do not think that I will enjoy my job later in life -- or even the rest of my schooling -- if I stick with it. My mother did not want me to get my degree during high school, and now she is putting up a huge fight regarding me switching my major. It is not her decision if I stay in school longer, because it is my life and she is not contributing financially. Do you think that I should push back and switch despite the big rift it will create between us? How do I explain that it is not her decision without being rude? -- Family Disapproval

DEAR FAMILY DISAPPROVAL: Let’s start with how fortunate you are to have options, even if they come with family pressure. That you got your associate’s degree so young gave you the option to finish college two years early. Changing your mind about your career direction is common. Yes, that will mean you have to take more classes and extend your time in school, but it’s better to figure that out now, especially when you have a full ride to complete your education. The blessing is that she doesn’t have to pay for it.

As far as your mother goes, she wants the best for you -- even if it doesn’t feel like it. Thank her for her concern. Admit that she may have been right about your associate's degree, but you will prove to her that you are responsible. Tell her you are grateful for all of her concern, but you have to make this decision on your own.

(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 have been having issues with my motivation lately. I have low energy, and simple tasks take me way longer than they should. I get all my work done, but that typically is the full extent of what I do in a day. Due to this lack of energy, I have not been cooking or going to the grocery store as much as I should. This results in not eating enough food in a day, snacking too much or eating unhealthy options that I can have delivered to my apartment. I do not feel satisfied with the unhealthy food I eat, but ordering salads and restaurant food is extremely expensive. This leads to a cycle of not having enough energy to cook, but also not getting enough energy from the low-nutrient food I am eating. Do you have any healthy, affordable snack or meal recommendations that require low effort to prepare? -- Food Energy

DEAR FOOD ENERGY: It’s great that you recognize that your eating habits could be affecting your mood and motivation. Nutrition is critical to a healthy life.

Yes, there are affordable, nutritious foods you can eat. Instead of ordering a salad, go get a few groceries or even have groceries delivered. All of the salad ingredients that cost so much from a restaurant take seconds to mix together yourself if you buy the individual ingredients at the grocery store. According to Healthline.com, some affordable options are broccoli, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, green cabbage, canned fish, chicken breast, bananas, frozen fruit and more. It may take a minute to shift your food choices. Knowing you can do it quickly and affordably should help. For a longer list of healthy food and snack options. go to healthline.com/nutrition/29-cheap-healthy-foods.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm the first in my family to go to college, and there’s a lot of pressure on me. I feel like I can't relate to my family anymore. How can I cope with this and excel in my graduate program? -- Need Support

DEAR NEED SUPPORT: Stop looking to your family for the emotional support you need. Since you are a pioneer in higher education in your family, they don’t have the tools to help you manage your academic workload and the pressure that comes with it. Establish relationships with peers and an academic counselor to help you with that. Stop expecting your family to be what they are not. Relate to them as the loving people they are. Don’t get mad at them or reject them because your life is changing. By finding a support system beyond your family, you will be able to appreciate them for who they are and not mistakenly expect more from them than they can offer. Be sure not to look down on them or speak to them disparagingly as your interests and experiences expand. Feel free to share stories with them of your life, but be mindful not to brag. Stay humble.

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

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently married my wife, and her teenage son does not seem to like me at all. I believe it is because of the major changes my presence has brought into his life. His dad passed away a few years ago, and I know my arrival has disrupted the dynamics he had with his mom. I've tried to connect and bond with him, attempting to show support and care, but it seems he's resistant and distant. He often spends time alone in his room and is reluctant to engage in family activities. My heart aches to see the strained relationship between us. How can I build a better relationship with my stepson despite his initial resistance to form a stronger family bond? I want to ensure that he feels supported and loved, but I'm not sure how to break through the barriers he's set up. -- Establishing a Connection

DEAR ESTABLISHING A CONNECTION: Patience is going to be your friend. It may take a lot of time to build a meaningful rapport with your stepson. His being a teenager doesn’t make it easier, as he is wrestling with hormonal changes that may affect his mood, on top of grief over his father’s death and fear over your presence.

Figure out what he likes to do for fun, and invite him to do some of those things with you. Keep asking even if he normally says no. Attempt to do things with him alone as well as with both him and your wife. Establish family routines that include the three of you that can create normalcy. Tell him stories about your life, and gently ask him to share stories about his. Let him know that you want to be there for him when he needs a sounding board or guidance. Don’t give up. Know that it may take years for you to build a healthy bond. If you are committed to your wife, remain committed to her son.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My partner and I have been arguing more lately. I’m not exactly sure why this is happening, but it’s uncomfortable. What's the best way to resolve conflicts and maintain a healthy relationship when things get tough? -- Looking for Strategies

DEAR LOOKING FOR STRATEGIES: Do a bit of reflection. When did the arguing begin? Try to pinpoint what precipitated it. Was there a change in either of your jobs, finances, friendships, health? What is different? If you can identify the source of the change, you can talk about it. Establish a weekly meeting between you where you check in about what’s going on in your lives. This can include household duties, your calendar and your finances. If you agree to meet at the same time each week, this can become routine and won’t feel as awkward when you need to discuss sensitive topics.

Address the obvious: You are experiencing conflict. Ask each other why it’s happening, and talk about what you can do to work through it. Actively work at being kind to each other instead of lashing out due to tension. Choose to see goodness in your partner -- especially when times are tough. This is much easier to say than do, but it helps a lot.

(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.)