Birth control?

 I'm 18 and finishing up highschool. I'll be done in about a month. This summer I have plans to travel with my boyfriend. My mom recently brought up the idea of birth control because she doesn't want us to have a kid before we both go off to university in the fall. My qualms with taking birth control are I hear it causes blood clots and you gain a significant amount of weight and well I'm just worried in a sense of putting pills in my body. I barely take midol when I have cramps. I was wondering if anyone can give more info and if they know good brands. Thanks