I get that. Make some new friend ma outside your sphere of influence. It doesn't mean that you have to bail on your old friends but you need a balance of other types of people than the people you go to school with. You need different input.

As far as your girlfriend goes... I'd stand my ground. Those are your feelings and they are valid. Her feelings are that she needs to go to be a part, even if she's putting her own parents at risk. Her feelings may be valid but aren't justified in this situation. You take care of your loved ones. I might feel differently if she lived on her own but goddamn how selfish does one need to be? I'm sorry but I hate selfish people.