Jodie Sweetin's 18 years old and has already had a successful acting career that includes eight seasons on a hit TV sitcom. Yet, she refuses to let show business go to her head.

"I love performing," says Sweetin, who grew up as middle daughter Stephanie Tanner on Full House (1987Ð95). "But that's not all there is to life. And I think I would be cheating myself if I didn't try to have a life that's as normal as possible."

That's why, when the sweet-natured family sitcom ceased production, Sweetin (age 5 when the show premiered, 13 when it was over) chose not to pursue an immediate follow-up role. Instead, she returned full time to high school and, after graduating last spring, enrolled in college.

Now, she's a freshman at Chapman University in Southern California, where she's studying mass communications and P.R. "I think it's a good idea to have something to fall back on. Because this business is really fickle," she says.

Sweetin lives on campus in a dorm, has a roommate and a steady boyfriend, and for the most part, is "just another student." She is sometimes surprised to learn how popular Full House still is, particularly with fellow students who grew up watching the show.

"I get recognized all the time, although people are like, 'Oh, my gosh, you're not, like, 11 any more!' It's funny. People don't expect you to grow up."

Sweetin remains close to her former co-stars. Many turned out for her high-school graduation, and Sweetin attended the first birthday party for the daughter of Candace Cameron Bure (who played D.J., the oldest Tanner girl). She also found time to appear in two Party of Five episodes.

© 2000, Biography Magazine.