How should I format my HDD

Hello,
My computer's startup disc is full, so I need to clean house. [And I just generally need to save files]. I have a Mac OS X 10.7.5 and I also runs Parallels for my windows needs (basically Microsoft Office Suite). Also, my work computer is a pc, so I don't want any files I tranfer to my home computer corrupted.
The question is: I have a 1 TB WD My passport, that is mainly going to be used for storage, [saving all of my files and cleaning my home computer for more space], how should I format this to run on both Mac and PC.
Should I partition the drive? What is the most reliable for long term use: reformat this drive to exFAT or just keep it as NTFS and install a programs such as Tuxera or Paragon NTFS for Mac OS X? I've read that fat32 is more recognized but has its own probelms. Please help.

Currently, I am only going to connect the drive to my mac. And then dump everything from my computer onto the drive.
I'm not that computer literate. [I'm just girl whose read  tons of forums and am still lost] Is there anything I need to do that is special for this mapping. Or can I just format the drive for HFS/mac os journaled on my mac and be set? Once I have it formated for the mac, if I get a pc I can just buy something for that platform to read it later down the road.
I also just didn't know if anyone had experience running parrallels/mac/pc and using exfat formated externals. I've read how great exfat is but that it is not journaled and is not recognized by everything.

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