<p>I'm 18 years-old freshman & I feel like the course (Performing Arts) I chose isn't meant for me. I'm not passionate about it as I thought I was, thus I want to switch to Psychology. There are more reasons I know how to explain to them, of course. I don't know how do I approach them? How do I start telling them about this? It's been bothering me for months now that I couldn't even get good sleep at night. Can anyone help me? Thank you so much in advance.</p>
<p>Welcome to College Confidential, zero77. </p>
<p>What made you ask this question in this forum? Have you discussed this with your friends?</p>
<p>If my child wanted to pursue a career in performing arts, I’d be supportive, but filled with anxiety. It’s a very hard way to make a living, and the living you make is seldom very secure.</p>
<p>If my child in college were having second thoughts about a performance career, I would welcome the conversation.</p>
<p>Sent from my DROIDX using CC</p>
<p>Mom, dad, I’m thinking about changing my major. The XYZ class I took this fall is much more interesting to me than the ABC class. Next semester I’m planning to take two classes in XYZ to see how much I do like it. </p>
<p>If you are attending a hideously expensive college or university that you chose specifically for ABC, and that there would be no reason to remain there if you changed your major, you might want to say something like:</p>
<p>Since I’m not sure anymore about ABC, I don’t want to keep spending this ginormous amount of money for my classes at Expensive U. I’m taking a leave of absence from there for next semester, and I’ll enroll at our local community college in the spring so I can take more classes in XYZ for a lot less money while I think about my future.</p>
<p>Welcome zero. Many students change majors…it is quite common for students to become interested in a course of study because of courses they take in college.</p>
<p>The only “issue” I would see is if you received a performing arts scholarship that you will lose of you switch majors. I don’t think that should alter your plan to change… But up you do need to know that your costs are going to be covered.</p>
<p>Our kid was a music performance major with a $10,000 a year performance scholarship…which he would have lost if he switched majors.</p>
<p>You might be surprised–it’s possible your parents will be thrilled with your change of heart. My D has been determined on a career in performance arts since she was ten years old. She is a very strong academic student and over the years, my husband and I have suggested to her many times that she look at other opportunities. We’ve continued to support her dream, but we see a world a disappointment and struggle ahead for her in the performing arts. While I would be sad not to see her perform again, I would be relieved it she decided to change directions and choose an academic major. Your parents’ job is to support YOU, not the field you committed to when you were in high school. Just find a way to talk to them and explain how you feel. And don’t think you wasted your freshman year–many students change courses and still finish within four years. Good luck.</p>
<p>VeryHappy - I’ve discussed it with my friends & even went for peer counselling at my college, but none of their advises helped me. They all said “communication” & that’s my problem, exactly. I’m too much of an introvert it’s really difficult for me to start communicating with someone no matter how hard I tried.</p>
<p>Sikorsky - That’s one of my reasons. Thank you for making me feel less tense. </p>
<p>happymomof1 - Thank you for your help. I’m going to take that in mind.</p>
<p>thumper1 - I’m not under scholarship. Thank you anyways. </p>
<p>annie43 - Thank you. That makes me feel a lot less stressed. To be honest, my story is exactly the same as yours. Except that I’m more to back-stage person (director, cameraman, etc). My mum sent me to a psychiatrist for career counselling… My parents endlessly persuaded me to reconsider my choice…</p>
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<p>If this is true, then maybe you’re a little embarrassed that they may have been right. It’s ok. Your parents will just be glad that you found out before you spent four years in a field that your heart isn’t in.
Good luck with your next step.</p>
<p>Then the conversation is Easy-Peasy: “Guess what, guys? You were right and I was wrong.”</p>
<p>Agree with VeryHappy! Sounds like they’d be thrilled to see that they were right and you were wrong. 
Just eat some crow, bite the bullet and carry on. Good luck.</p>
<p>OP keep in mind that an undergrad degree in Psychology will not really make you employable. You need a graduate degree for that with Psychology.</p>
<p>What I did was go to nursing school for undergrad so I could get a good job on a psych unit that gave me experience and confirmed my interest in the field. Then I got a masters and PhD in the field. Just a thought.</p>
<p>If it is hard for you to talk to them, perhaps it would help to write out a script or a letter. I will tell you that I would have less anxiety if my child were to major in psychology over performing arts. Trust your parents.</p>
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<p>…or in something else: social work, medicine, etc. Or even something completely unrelated to mental health, such as law (although that doesn’t really have bright job prospects, either) or education.</p>
<p>But, yes, a B.A. in psychology is not in and of itself a pipeline to a career.</p>
<p>At the “welcome to the performing arts” meeting at the beginning of my d’s program, the head of the department stood up and said: If you can imagine yourself doing ANYTHING else than this very insecure career path…please follow that other idea." Good advice, I think. Research, think, plan. Be ready to show your parents your new Plan B – why you want to study psychology, where you see yourself in X years, etc. Showing them that you’ve really considered what you want to do next, how that fits your desires, dreams and strengths can go a long way toward helping them to understand. And if you’re shy and introverted, you can have some “visual aids” of the course of study, the catalog, etc.</p>
<p>moonchild - Good point. Thank you. </p>
<p>VeryHappy & Youdon’tsay - I hope so. Thank you.</p>
<p>Iron Maiden - I’m well aware of that. Thank you though.</p>
<p>Onward - I think it’s a bit too late for that now. I guess I’ll just have to talk to them about it. Thank you anyways.</p>
<p>My sons both changed majors. They just did it. Told us they enjoyed these other areas more. Is there something you fear from telling your parents?</p>
<p>zero77, Thank you for starting this thread. My S changed his major and I haven’t been behind him the way I should be. Time to change my attitude. Best wishes to you!!!</p>
<p>Zero77- It is not uncommon at all to change your major… You have gotten some great advice here. I would suggest talking to your parents about your decision soon. The longer you wait the harder it will be for you. I am sure they will be supportive of you, just tell them what you wrote in your first post. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>You just have to tell them. There is no magic. “I am switching majors. I don’t have a passion for performing arts; moreover, this major is causing anxiety,”</p>