<p>So it's a ridiculously long and convoluted story... but the bottom line is that I just can't put up with them. Everything is about succeeding, being at the top, making sacrifices. I regularly chat online with a friend from school who is probably the most successful person I know. My parents say that "She has SO much more free time than you. [COMPLETELY not true.] She's not as successful as you. [In my mind, she is better than me.]" Every day, when I come home from school, there's no, "How was your day?" - it's "What did you get on that test?"</p>
<p>We have completely different mindsets. I've completely abandoned the ultra-competitive stereotypical Asian guy bound for MIT mindset. I AM still bound for MIT - don't get me wrong - but there is a limit on what I would trade for it. To me, high school isn't a race for college. High school is about making lifelong friends, discovering yourself, and doing what matters.</p>
<p>The problem is that I can't actually talk to them. They think they're doing everything right - and for them, they are. If you're going by their definition of "success", then there's no doubt that they are the perfect parents. So every time I try to talk about or even hint at anything they're doing wrong, they instantly get defensive; occasionally it escalates to the point where they threaten to sell my piano. I would protect my piano with my life, because music IS my life.</p>
<p>So I'm just stuck. I have no idea where I can go from here, and I don't know how much longer I can put up with this. My friends have been wonderfully understanding, but I can't rely on them for the entire year and a half before I graduate.</p>
<p>What do I do? Where can I go? I feel so alone.</p>
<p>Just remember they have the highest amount of goodness towards you and your future.</p>
<p>samesies. actually, my parents are unbearable for other reasons, so i would say that if this is your parents’ biggest flaw, then just take it & deal with it for the remainder of your high school career.</p>
<p>Samesies too, but my mindset is a little different. Are your parents immegrants? Mine are from Greece. They had almost nothing as kids and then got scholarships in the US came here, and started a life. They expect more because we have more. Just have to put up with it I guess.</p>
<p>no pain no gain.</p>
<p>the friends that you make forever will be the ones you make in college.</p>
<p>^ True that. about 90% of the friends you make in High School you will never see again in your life. Maybe 80% if you go to a state school with a ton of people from your school.</p>
<p>Tune out everything they say. Pretend they’re not even there and just go on with your life. If it gets really bad, i think you should talk to your guidance counselor and have them step in.</p>
<p>I would say “I feel your pain, man,” but I can’t. Sorry that your parents are overbearing and completely focused on your success, but at least they’re supportive. My parents are ridiculous in a whole other way. They berate me when I don’t get As, but are completely against my going to the colleges that I want to go to. They prevent me from having any social life whatsoever - my curfew is 3 PM, cellphone is only for contacting them, they barely let me stay after school for ECs, can’t go anywhere on weekends, etc. - so I basically have no good friends. Plus, you only have a year and a half and you can graduate. Once you do, your parents will completely love you, since you’ll have reached whatever goal they have set for you (college). When I graduate, I’ll have to break with my family, since what I want to do is completely different from what they want. Sorry for trying to one-up you, but I just wish I had your parents, instead of my own Stalinist parents. Your parents have your best interests at heart; remember that. And if you can’t deal with them yourself, talk to a guidance counselor or school psychologist (for extreme situations).</p>
<p>^^ The guidance counselor thing is a bit excessive.</p>
<p>@olleger Well, the OP wants to know who he can talk to. Your guidance counselor is supposed to help you with personal issues too, especially if it’s related to schoolwork. Who else is he supposed to talk to, the mailman?</p>
<p>It probably sounds cliche, but your parents know what’s best for you. It might not be today, a year from now, or even 3 years from now, but someday you’ll realize that what’s they’re saying is helpful to you in the long run. Just remember that they’re not going to give you advice that’s going to hurt you or be detrimental to your progress.</p>
<p>Yeah, he came here on CC because he wanted to talk to someone about this issue. But we’re not the best ones to talk to or give advice. A guidance counselor or school psychologist is the best choice</p>