Advice? :(

[waves16]

I'm not really sure where to post this, but I need some advice.

I graduated at the top of my class in high school, and I started university last year. I was doing a degree in neuroscience and biochemistry, and had plans to apply for medical school. I was excited to do it for years, and my parents were so proud of my choice.

This year, I changed my mind. I had my mind set on Med School for YEARS, but I realized it wasn't what I wanted to do. I switched to Primary/Elementary Education this year. My parents were reaaaaally not pleased. My dad keeps telling me that he thinks I'm settling for less than my full potential, and thinks I'm wasting all my scholarships and my talent. Overall, they're really disapointed that I'm not going to be a doctor. They keep trying to push me towards other programs that are more "respectable", like engineering or something else "smart", and keep telling me how hard it's going to be to not be making a huge salary. I feel like I'm not good enough. I know that I have the grades to do what they want, but I want a job that I can look forward to going to every day, that I love.

The other day I was with a group of friends, and we were talking about what we were doing in school. One friend didn't realize I switched programs, and when he did he said "Wow, how could you go from being the smartest girl in our school to being absolutely nothing". It literally brought me to tears.

Well, that's my situation. I just need some advice about what to do next. As my dad put it, "not everybody is lucky enough to have the opportunity to be a doctor, and you're taking it for granted and just throwing it away". I'm not really sure what to do now. Has anybody else ever been in this situation? I just feel like everybody is dissapointed in me.

 

[iwannarock]

They have a point. I don't blame them for feeling the way they do. You are one of the few people in the world with the potential to do great things.

But, in the end it's about what makes you happy. Does it matter what/who you're teaching? If not then why not be a university teacher or something? If it does matter, and you really want to stick with this, then eventually everyone else will get over it.

But, and this is just some theorycrafting, are you even sure that this is what really wanna do? it might end up like med school. Why not just stick with your original plan and see how things go from there?

but to be honest, i iwsh i had the talent and oppurtunities that you have. I would kill to be in your posistion. I suggest you thorughly evaluate ALL of your options, and weigh the pros and cons.

 

[waves16]

Yeah, I understand why they feel how they feel, and that just makes me feel even worse

I though about switching last year, but I stuck the year out. Being a teacher was what I wanted to be when I was little, before I decided on Science. But I was such an overacheiver I decided to try for Med School, just because I never ever considered doing something that never had a three figure salary and wasn't intensely challenging.

I've been doing the Education route for months, and I love it. In high school I taught aviation classes once a week, and I always looked forward to it. I spent a summer teaching kids in another province for seven weeks, and I absolutely loved it. Every part of it, even the tedious lesson plans and paperwork and stress. But I never considered it as a career until this year.

I wanted to go to med school because I thought it was "the best". That was why I did everything in high school, because I was a perfectionist and I wanted to be "the best" at everything. I realize now how stupid that was.

The main reason I switched was because I think that being a doctor would get in the way of me actually having a life. I'm definitely not afraid of hard work, but I feel like I need to do other things with my life. I want to get really involved in volunteer work, and do a lot of travelling. I want to have a lot of kids, and I can't picture myself doing any of those things if I was a doctor. I don't feel like I'm throwing my potential away, I just want to use it for other things besides work. Of course, my parents don't see it that way, and I feel terrible for letting them down. I'm still at the same university, I'm still getting good grades, and I still plan on going on to a master's degree, so I'm kinda sad that they can't just be proud of what I'm doing now...

Sorry if that was a little all over the place, I'm a little tired :/

 

[itisdeliciouscake]

I say go for education.

I mean what's the point of going into something you don't enjoy? I don't think it'll be worth the extra pay at all. It's more important to make sure you're doing what you love. And it may be disappointing for your parents, but I guess that's just kinda the way it is? You can't please everybody. They just need to respect your decision to do what you love.

 

[itisdeliciouscake]

btw, thought I should mention I'm in a semi-similar position.

I've always been able to do pretty much whatever I want. Always aced tests in high school without studying and managed to graduate in 3 years.

And I'm going to school to teach Bible in high school. (one of the lowest paying jobs with a degree considering I'll be working in a private high school) What's weird is that pre-med is actually my back-up plan if I don't get into the school I want (Moody Bible Institute, they only accept 1/4 of applicants...)

Anytime I tell my profs what I'm going to school for they freak out and tell me how I'm wasting my potential or whatever. (especially my philosophy prof) But the way I see it, the career-path you should doesn't determine whether or not you're wasting your potential. It's whether your working your absolute hardest with what field you choose to go into that determines whether you're wasting your potential.

 

[DMMullinax]

I'd absolutely say to stick with education. It's obvious that you're passionate about it. In my opinion, passion overrides skill and potential. And money isn't everything, not in the least. This world isn't our home, and treasures and riches here are not worth throwing your own contentment and passion for. I hate that anybody thinks elementary education isn't respectable. We're here to serve God and serve people, and I can't think of a better job to build and enjoy the relationships of others than teaching kids.

And you're only 19, no one should be disappointed in you for changing your mind. Things happen and people change their minds. They'll have to get over it. Just don't let it get to you, follow the path you know would suit you best, and what God is leading you towards.

Good luck with everything!

 

[HarborOrange]

Do what you love. Besides, teaching kids has a much more meaningful impact upon the world. Do something that you know will make a difference and do something you feel called to do.

Hey, I get straight A's, and I always have. My grandparents want me to go to School of Mines, where my grandfather went. They're all for education. My parents were as well, until they started to realize that I want to do something where I can get my hands dirty, something real, not hypothetical. Sure, being a surgeon or engineer would pay my bills easily, but I'd prefer to be poor. My parents eventually accepted that I don't want to go into any prestigious university or study for a high-end job... I might not even go to college and just become a carpenter. I will do what I know will make me happy and will please the Father. I think you should do the same, no matter what people say.

 

[RipleyCountyChristian]

I agree with what was said above. Do what makes you happy, because money can't buy happiness like they all say. When you do what you like, life will be better and more stable than if you went into something that your not into.

 

[Unfit'for'swine]

Live your own life

 

[Katesz]

Absolutely do what you think will make you happy. No one wants to end up stuck with a job that they're going to be miserable in. A doubled salary won't buy you extra happiness, so do what you want to do, and everyone one else can suck it because it's not their life or their future.

 

[HarborOrange]

Besides, those that end up making tons of money end up in debt and unhappy either way.

 

[LivingforGod13]

Well, I see that many people have posted already and my initial reaction and instict is to just not post anything... But then I thought, what's it gonna hurt?

As far as what to do next, I can't tell you what to do. I don't know you personally and even if I did I would tell you, "I can't make your choices because they're yours to make." My point in all this is to say, no one can make these decisions for you. No one can tell you what you love or what you'll succeed in doing. Though teachers and everyone else sees your potential and what not, you won't really be succeeding at anything if you're not pleased with the outcome. So my advice to you is this, try different things! But most of all, find what you love and pursue it! Don't worry about all the money you could be making in a job that you hate. Make a realistic goal that will also bring you happiness.

As far as feeling like you've disappointed everyone, I've been there and let me tell you something, people disappoint people all the time. Nothing matters if you're not happy with your choices because you're the one who has to walk in your shoes and live your life from day to day.

After all my gabbing and telling stories, I hope that you come away with this make yourself happy.