<p>Ever since I became interested in gaining admission to a top college, my parents have been very judgmental of the way I spend my time. They thought I spent too much time on College Confidential during the summer, and now that school has started they think I spend too much time studying. My lack of social interaction outside of school worries them. </p>
<p>How can I explain that I have a goal and I'm not interested in "having a good time" during my high school years?</p>
<p>Likely you cannot. Differing goals.</p>
<p>why can't you explain to them that you are "having a good time" pursuing this very important goal?</p>
<p>college admissions can be very rewarding if you play your cards right.</p>
<p>^^ completely agree. </p>
<p>Just tell em you want to be able to suceed in the future and once you get to your dream school then you can enjoy life</p>
<p>i face the same problem. but not because of differing goals. because i'm in 10th grade, and my senior brother hasn't even decided which colleges he's gonna apply to, and also because we just finished the hassle of getting my sister off to Cornell. but i know they're not gonna let me go to my dream school unless i start bugging them about it now.</p>
<p>about the social interaction thing, just go on aim when you're on cc. when they tell you to stop spending so much time on cc, tell them that you're on aim talking to your friends too.</p>
<p>and also tell them that people usually make their life-long friends in college, not highschool.</p>
<p>i personally can't concentrate if i don't have tons of social interaction, but i guess you're different.</p>
<p>so good luck and study away!</p>
<p>Haha, my parents (or at least my dad) knows I go on some sort of college info website, but they don't know the extent of my posting. But I've never had the internet interfere with my social life (unless you count, say, facebook) so I'm not really in your situation at all.</p>
<p>The solution is to tell your parents to go sod themselves.</p>
<p>It doesn't matter what your parents think. You are an independent, autonomous human being capable of rational thought, and probably smarter than they are. They have no right to determine how you use your time. Providing you food in exchange for such expectations is the equivalent of indentured servitude. You, and you alone, are to decide your personal values.
</p>
<p>...Yeah. I'm not too fond of the family structure :D</p>
<p>i am guessing you are not asian?</p>
<p>Haha, far from it :P</p>
<p>Oh man, I would kill for parents like yours. Have any Asian friends? Introduce their parents to yours. They'll be off your back within two hours :P</p>
<p>The only Asian kids around here are adopted, really--but a good idea, nonetheless.</p>
<p>If you don't care about a social life, I see no reason for them to scrutinize you. The problem starts when college admissions replaces a social life, but you don't care for that so thats fine.</p>
<p>To OP, I know how you feel, my parents are exactly the same way.</p>
<p>Ok I just had a break down. This problem is really getting worse. :(</p>
<p>So, my mom called me when I got home from school to tell me that she had CANCELED MY INTERVIEW (which i had scheduled MONTHS ago) for a volunteer position at the humane society. Without asking. SHE THINKS I'M OVER-BOOKING MY SELF! Including that, I'm only in like 5 total activities. WHAT THE FREAK?!</p>
<p>Bahhhhhhhhh. So I called them back, and they're like, "well, if your parents don't consent then we can't give you an interview." and i'm all pleasant about it like OK.</p>
<p>then I broke down crying to my dad. and he finally called them and told them i could go to the interview .. which i ended up being 30 minutes late for because my dad gave me the wrong (slightly rescheduled) time (INTENTIONALLY? im probably just paranoid but yeah) and i'm very rarely late. so yeah.</p>
<p>bad day :(</p>
<p>Life is to short to just focus on getting to the next step. </p>
<p>Your parents are correct, focusing all your time on getting to the next step will be something you will regret when your 40 years old.</p>
<p>hmmmmm..</p>
<p>...Ask them how they'd feel if you started cancelling their interviews.</p>
<p>u guys dont see that college isnt everything in life...thats sad...u only go through hs once...have fun...go actually talk to friends</p>
<p>well, what if you can do both?</p>
<p>Wow - they canceled your interview? That is just plain wrong. They should at the very least have consulted you prior to just messing with your goals in life. Why can't they understand that you are inviting more opportunities for socializing by getting out there and mingling with other like-minded people/volunteers? </p>
<p>I'm sorry your parents aren't cooperating with you on this subject. Unless you're leaving something out like you only sleep 3 hours a night because of all your obligations then it sounds as if your parents need to calm down and respect your decision to study and work hard.</p>
<p>Maybe they're scared you'll get into a good college and they won't be able to pay for it? Maybe they don't want to drive you to all your obligatory functions? There has to be more to this than, "My parents don't want me to succeed." Weird. </p>
<p>Good luck, OP.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The solution is to tell your parents to go sod themselves.</p>
<p>It doesn't matter what your parents think. You are an independent, autonomous human being capable of rational thought, and probably smarter than they are. They have no right to determine how you use your time. Providing you food in exchange for such expectations is the equivalent of indentured servitude. You, and you alone, are to decide your personal values.
</p>
<p>...Yeah. I'm not too fond of the family structure
[/quote]
A bit radical, methinks. After all, parents provide you with everything that you have, so frankly, you should return the favor and at least obey some of their orders. There is no possibility that you are smarter than your parents; they have had more experience on this Earth than you have.</p>
<p>*You being hypothetical person.</p>
<p>In this case, the OP's parents are right. Life is not about college. It is about contributions to others and to yourself. Enjoy life, strive to be the best to be a light for others, but DON'T overdo things and get pompous enough to completely disregard your parents, and definitely don't be secluded in your own bubble. High school, and life for that matter, is not about getting to the most prestigious college out there.</p>
<p>(Although, your post implies a social life in school, and I would be hypocritical to say you must have a social life outside of school, b/c that's just not true.)</p>