<p>I'm a junior who's had her fair share of ups and downs the past couple years. I currently go to a large state school in the midwest, originally to study journalism. But I've had so many problems both academically and socially, that I have been failing or almost-failing (several but not all) classes the past couple years and feel so uninspired. There's just nothing at this school that I truly want to study because my true passion is both fashion journalism and fashion merchandising. My grades will probably get me kicked out of our journalism school, and I'm not sure I'd want to stay in it even if I wasn't kicked out. I hate it and my lack of interest and motivation is clearly a huge part of my problem.</p>
<p>My parents have known about my grades and problems, and when last year I brought up transferring to another school to study my true passion for fashion, they advised me to try sticking it out at my state school because it's more practical and whatnot. And I tried that. But they're used to the bright, excelling, A-student from high school, but now I'm only happy writing fashion columns for online publications outside of school. I feel in my gut I should transfer, even as a junior, and attend the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. It's got both programs in fashion journalism and merchandising, and I can take classes online until I decide whether or not I want to eventually move out there and take physical classes. Plus a lot of my credits will actually transfer to fulfill their liberal arts requirements, so I won't be THAT far behind.</p>
<p>The problem is HOW I should tell my parents my thoughts in a mature, rational and persuasive way. I've talked to my parents about the Academy briefly, but they didn't listen as intently since they wanted me to give my state school another shot. Also, my dad doesn't have an even temper and I'm always afraid to voice my opinions to him, since he has never found the arts to be all that worthwhile like my mom.</p>
<p>The other problem is that if I transfer, my student loan at this school will kick in. I don't know how to rationalize where that money will come from to allow me to pursue my dreams rather than stay stuck at this school studying a whole new major because my grades don't qualify me to study what I want and my school doesn't offer more artistic/fashion/merchandising options. HELP!</p>
<p>From a third-person perspective, I can see that you have a good side and a bad side. The good side is that you know your true interest lies in the world of fashion, and the bad side is that you don’t know what steps to take in order to transition into that world. I hope no one here thinks I’m wasting everyone’s time, because I went through a similar situation and I can somehow understand your feelings.</p>
<p>Having to tell your parents that you have your interests invested elsewhere and that you want to change directions really suck. Having a father who has an uneven temper makes things worse, but based on my experiences, those are still not sufficient reasons for you to remain in such a miserable state. I believe you are very aware of your current situation right now; you will get kicked out of journalism school anytime soon, and you’re failing in your classes. Getting deterred from your parents just like that will only cause you to get more depressed and continue having that lackluster performance in your academics. So, I strongly suggest you to muster the initiative to speak to your parents about your problem. You don’t have to walk up to them and start confronting them straightaway; you can find moments when your parents are in a good mood and discuss with them in a respectable manner, or you can always find support from people like, say, your siblings or relatives in talking to your parents. Mature? I guess you’re mature enough to know what you want, a lot of people still don’t. Rational? I think you can be rational if you don’t start arguing senselessly or raving in front of your parents. Persuasive? I think your passion is already a very persuasive factor. Remember one thing; you may get berated or insulted by your parents, but if you don’t take the first step and really tell them what you want, you will never be able to get out of the life you are living now.</p>
<p>As for the student loans, I can’t give you exact ideas on what to do. (I’m not even a freshman yet, and I’m non-American, btw) But I guess you should utilize whatever resources you have at your current disposal. Speak to your academic or college counselor, ask your peers on what can be done. I strongly believe that they will be very glad to help you. And you’ll never know; if you manage to convince your parents, they may just assist you in financing your studies for your new major. </p>
<p>All the best!</p>