<p>My Mom just called me because of a DREAM my Dad had. *Basically he had a dream that I would end up like my other sisters. *One is a dental assistant who works two jobs, one being a nail tech over the weekend. *My other sister works as a nail tech full time. *Now, I just told them two months ago about how i never wanted to go on the pre-med route and how I needed time to think it over. *My mom then asked "so you didn't even think about it his winter break?" *I got really really mad so I hung up and when she called again I didn't pick up.</p>
<p>I hung up because she knew darn well I had to work the whole winter break and watch the shop for her while she went on vacation with my dad. *I hung up because she used my dad having this kind of 'dream/nightmare' as a valid reason for giving me a lecture. *Btw, my dad told her to call me. *And after I didn't pick up the second time, she left a voice msg saying 'I can't believe you've become so rude. *Its like the devil has taken over you. *We spend so much money on paying for your College tuition and all you do is play that stupid game all day long.' Like are you kidding me? The devil???</p>
<p>Now, might I add, I had enough scholarships and grants my first year of college for a free ride, including living expenses and everything. *Even though they have to pay for my rent this year, tuition and books are covered, and I even told my dad I should take out a loan to pay for my rent instead but he keeps on saying no. *</p>
<p>I feel so angry right now. *Even though they say I can do whatever makes me happy, I feel that by bringing up my sisters, one who is a dental assistant, they are limiting me to REALLY pick what I want. *I feel like they only care about what other people will say about them if I don't make like 100k a year. *What my mom said over the voicemail really made me mad and I'm just sitting her bawling. *Ugh. *Nothing can really make me cry except for my parents. *And I don't even play that friggin game anymore!</p>
<p>This is why when I asked you guys about majors and whatnot, i always always have doubts and look into salary more than I should. <em>What should I do?</em></p>
<p>p.s. Sorry for all the typos, I'm typing on my phone.</p>
<p>Also, ignore the asterisks, idk why it's there D;</p>
<p>If they are not paying for your tuition, then they shouldn’t be guilt-tripping you like that. Yes, it would be nice if we all made 100k/year after graduation college, but in the end it wouldn’t make us happy anyway. You need to think about what you enjoy doing. You don’t have to start out specific. Perhaps you know you like to think on your toes, constantly being challenged and always having different tasks. Or maybe you enjoy something more predictable. Maybe you enjoy being outdoors, or maybe you’d rather be in an office. Working with people (customers, clients), working in a team (coworkers), or mostly working independently? Then, make a list of potential career paths that fit your skills/strengths. Then start to look at the course requirements for each potential major, talk to your academic advisor or other profs in those majors, maybe job shadow or interview someone working in those fields. </p>
<p>Life isn’t as easy as deciding whether you want to be a dentist or a doctor. Sometimes those jobs sound glamorous because of the money or other benefits, but then we realize that we really don’t enjoy long hours or being on call, or the insurance and malpractice costs, or even biology courses! So look at your strengths and interests and build some ideas around that. Perhaps there are 3 different careers you think you’d enjoy. Maybe then you could consider which salary you’d prefer, but never study something you know you would not enjoy, or which involves a number of things you’re not good at or would prefer not having to do. It will only increase your stress level, and decrease your performance in college.</p>
<p>Rather than getting stressed over your mom’s words, just let them go in one ear and out the other. Reassure her that you’ll find something that works for you. If you have a free ride I’m guessing some of it may have been merit, which means you’re a hard worker. Remind her of that. Let her know that there is no shame in what your sisters are doing, but those are not the paths for you and you will find your own path.</p>
<p>Try to see yourself through your parent’s eyes. You probably did seem a bit rude to them. They are experienced with jobs and making a living in general. They probably see way too many people graduating with tons of debt and useless degrees (with the “I want to do whatever I want” notion) unable to find a decent job in the news. They don’t want that to happen to you.</p>
<p>That being said, premed is very competitive and challenging, and is not an option for everyone.</p>
<p>@Noval, I’m currently taking a career planning course this semester and I also talked to my adviser. I’ll see where it takes me. I was looking at being a social worker, but the salary is just sad to look at. This is why it’s taking me so long to make a decision. I have to factor in so many things before choosing a career I want to go into. After all, it’ll be something I have to do for the rest of my life.</p>
<p>@ ald, I’ve never once told them ‘I’ll do whatever I want with my life’ or would I ever have that kind of attitude either because I know how hard it is to find a job these days. They just simply don’t understand. Before I left for spring break, my mom told me ‘well if you don’t want to be a doctor, be a pharmacist. You graduate in 4 years and make tons of money.’ Honestly, how clueless can she be?? And perhaps I was a little rude over the phone, but it’s just so frustrating when they always always have this kind of attitude towards me. And it’s been like this since I was really young.</p>
<p>@ roaming, yes I am the same person. Yes, I screwed up big time, and yes they do have a right to be concerned in general as a parent, but to try and dictate my life and telling me what career I should choose is not something I don’t think a parent should do. I’m all ears when it comes to suggestions and whatnot, but it’s coming to a point where I’m afraid to choose what I want to do, for fear of them judging me.</p>
<p>Anyway, don’t hang up on your parents. They’re right, it’s rude. They’re trying to do what’s best for you and they don’t want you working two jobs like your sister. They may be pushy, but I really do think they’re looking out for you. </p>
<p>If they’re not paying for your stuff then you just gotta let their words wash over you. But you need to prove to them that you ARE taking your future seriously by getting much better grades than what you’ve been getting. Prove that to them and maybe they’ll lighten up.</p>
<p>Meh, I misread your name, my bad. And honestly, I always trip over whatever my parents say. I don’t care about what others say about me, but what they say about me impacts me a lot. And I am trying to look for a major that fits me, I am trying to bring up my GPA and get back the scholarships and grants that I did lose. This isn’t a matter of grades at all though, it’s a matter of them trying to tell me which career is right for me and how much I <em>should</em> be making out of college.</p>