18 with parent, future and school problems

[Bec123]

Thanks for taking the time to read 🙂

I have a passion for game making and there's a school I can get into with a scholarship which I really want to go to. However, my parents have forced me to go to Uni, which I'm at now. They said I can study whatever I like, which I am but it's not exactly what I want to do, so I'm extremely unmotivated and lethargic about it. I also have people who will be in my dream with me, hopefully one starting a graphic design, game/app/website making business one day.

However, it's not a University, but offers Advanced Diplomas, so my parents are disregarding it saying "You'll never have a career with that" "You can go to uni and get a proper degree" "You are finishing this degree!". I understand I could suck it up and finish. However, years I could be spending with my passion is wasted, plus the 20K debt and sadness.

This whole situation is making me extremely upset. I feel stupid with how my parents treat this. My other sibling wants to be a robot engineer, my mum doesn't work but my dad has a proper, high paying, career...so naturally I feel like the dud of the family. They treat me well, always give me what I need and support me. They say "we just want what's best, and you're 18 so you don't know what's best for you". so I'm extremely conflicted how to approach it.

People are saying "Just move out and live your dream"... 'Youre 18! they cant force you"... "Just tell them you're really upset!" but it's really not that simple. I don't want to ruin my relationship with them or let them down. I understand my parent's points perfectly clear.

This situation has got me feeling awful, tired, stupid and on edge everyday. I'm so stuck and my "future work partners" are bummed we may not be able to live our dream together. What do I do? 😞

[geoff]

hello Bec, your situation reminds me of when I finished year 12 all I wanted to do was go out and get a job, not in an office but in the field, but no my parents said exactly the same thing that I needed to get a degree or at least a diploma, so the three years being in a course was three years wasted, I hated every bit of it, and in fact wasn't what I ended up doing, it was something completely different.
You are missing out on your dream and if you explain that you don't like the course you are doing then it would be impossible for you to even consider taking up a career in this area, so it's virtually holding you back.
Parents often tell their children to do this and do that as their way of believing they are helping you, but how many times have they told you to do something and you haven't, did they stop loving you, I would think the answer would be no, and even if they did get upset it would only last for a short time, because they don't want to get into a situation where they are cross with any of their kids.
Your now 18 and decisions will need to be made by you, you alone, without your parents knowledge, and when the time comes and you move out, are they going to know what you are doing everyday, meeting a partner takes you to another level away from your parents, it doesn't mean that you don't love them, but knowing this is part of establishing your own life. Geoff.

[Zeal]

Hey Bec,

Welcome to the forum!

I completely endorse what Geoff said. At 18, you have the right to make these personal decisions. You have a great passion, and the fact that you already have these goals and this ambition is honestly amazing. Studying a Diploma is a legitimate means of further education that can give you the skills needed in the workplace. Getting a university degree doesn't guarantee you a job in any way, as you would know. Being told to do something that you don't have an interest in and are not passionate about is a shame, and it's frustrating.

It sounds like you've already tried explaining the situation to your parents. Also, they seem set in this idea that a university degree opens up more opportunities and is a more 'viable' option. Do your parents know about your potential future business partners?

I wish I had specific advice for you. I hope you can study game design, because you deserve to pursue this passion.

Best wishes,

Zeal

[Bec123]

They said I can do it once I finish my degree, but I see no point really. I'm not enjoying it. They also said "We know people with 3 degrees who can't find a job...so imagine you just having one diploma. You'd never get anywhere!". Yes, they know about my business partners and everything I want to do, but they believe it's just some 'air-head' dream we've made up that won't go anywhere. They're saying that they're trying to support me so I dont struggle with money later on in life, or work a bad job...but it's not helping 😞

[Bec123]

Hi Zeal!

I'm aware that a diploma is a proper education, but my parents see diplomas and certificates WAYY below degree. They said "Degree is just way different than a diploma. You don't understand, but one day you'll realise that people will view you better if you have a degree"

They also believe that there's no gaming industry here, so doing a game design diploma would be a waste of time and money for me. However, I've told them that some people in that school go on to work at huge game companies, and work on huge movies in disney, pixar, dreamworks and other worldwide blockbusters...but they said it's a gimmick to get "young naive kids" to pay them lots of money. Plus, I want to create my OWN way, before joining companies.