Damien (cool name btw) I know where you are coming from dude. You are 17 and about to go to college. It is about to be the best time in your life, especially if you are away from home. I am about to be a second semester sophmore in college myself (damn where does the time go?) and I am thankful everyday that I am there rather than home. I have a ton of problems at home. My mom takes on the whole financial burden because my dad has mental and physical problems. I resent the mere THOUGHT of him. Sometimes i just feel like i want to beat him with his own cane! Whoa, where'd that come from lol.
I view school as a chance to escape problems and be in your own little world. I only keep in touch with ONE person (my best bud) from high school and a few of the teachers there. I dont really miss it because i could always go back to visit it.
You will make great friends at school. I have. And right now im edgy because i wanna go back there and learn some more, because i am SO bored at home. '
It sounds corny but school will be the best time of your life and you should enjoy every minute of it and do your best you can.
Dont let problems get in your way, kick them in the ass and live the life you always wanted to.
So I have spoken and I hope you take my advice look at the situation now a bit differently with a positive light.
Good luck