I'm concerned about my boyfriend...

[Webby]

I have finally found out what has been bothering my boyfriend.
As apposed to some of my other posts - i was worried that his quietness and telling me off was some way that he was going to break up with me - very childish if you ask me. Well, he comes up to me today and says that he's been feeling depressed - why? Because this summer was his last summer that he will be living in his home in his hometown because he finishes College in January 08. He's depressed because he's leaving his friends behind again - and only a few will be living near him. (his friends are friends since elementary school, and I'v come to know the group of them quite well and their all like brothers to eachother) As I sit here listening to him, i wonder why he'd take it out on me... but that is not what i am worried about. He says he's got no ambition to do anything (Including going to work underground at a mine - which he's not liking anymore) He says he's excited to go back to school to finish and start a career - but being a country boy (Which by that I mean he likes living in our small town) I still think he hasn't adjusted to the city...

I'm a little worried and I didn't know what to say to him... i try to reassure him that he will make more new friends and he will keep his friendships with his buddies here... but nothing seems to cheer him up. I've made him supper - and I he shows that he appreciates it but it still doesn't make him any happier.
Being younger than he is... I'm wondering is this a stage everyone goes through in life? Obvoiusly I'm not there yet and I feel almost useless when he gets depressed. I've tried everything that I know how to do... Am I trying too hard? Should I give him space to think things out? Or what should I say?
Thanks.

~Wendy~

[sera300]

If you graduate high school, you move on to work or college, make new friends, and then separate again. It's life. Long-term friends will always be just that, it takes time to adjust but he will. Let him work through it. Nothing you can do or say, understand it's normal & watch how he treats you.

[Brandye]

I assume, in the mine, he makes a pretty good living. He will be giving up a paycheck, moving to a strange place, will have no support system of friends and family, he does not know what to do with his life but wants out of the mine.

He has got to be terrified. But are we not all terrified at going on our own even if we know the outcome will justify what we have to do? He is dealing with normal (perhaps accentuated) growth processes. Not much for you to do but be supportive and recognize that, as the changes come, you may be one of the changes.