I'm confused on what I'll be doing

ash_al
Community Member

I always wanted to do something that involves with art. I want to be an artist someday but none of my parents support me, I love drawing, I love designing clothes, I just love art. I even wanted to join an art competition but mum says no. I am a bit disappointed, hurt, and confused. I am actually studying a Diploma of Higher Education in health because my parents wanted me to have a medical course. I have never thought in a million years that I would actually be aiming for dentistry. Dentistry is such a competitive course and I don't really have the brains to study or will get accepted someday (my predictions), I have failed my maths but besides that I am doing well with my other subjects. Maths is really important to have a higher grade, I just did not understand why I have failed it because last semester I was doing well. I just do not know where I went wrong, and now I am worried because my parents expect a lot from me. I mean, they don't really expect me to study dentistry but any courses in health is fine. It's just that health is not really my thing and I am so pressured and stressed out because if I don't get in to dentistry, I have no idea what I am going to do after. Because none of the health courses are interesting( at least for me). I always think about this every single day, I just lay in my bed at night and cry because I do not think I have the chance in studying dentistry, which is sad and it really breaks my heart because that's what my parents what me to do, they want me to study a medical course. If you ask me why dentistry? The answer to that is I don't know, it sort of like just happened. When I enquired the application for the diploma, I just said I wanted to study dentistry, like I did not even think about it. I don't know why or how. Although, I want to help people with their oral health problems and inspire every one in what I love to do. Anyway, I'm just a confused person, if I pursue my art I am afraid that I am going to fail. All I want is support and inspiration from my parents, they do support me and admire my drawings but they just don't agree that art is what I really want. I wanted to join art competitions but I do not have enough money to do that. It's hard to do something when no one is there to guide you, help you, and support you in every way especially when it is something that you love.

Please help me, I just need advice and motivation. I don't know what to do.

18 Replies 18

Croix
Community Champion
Community Champion

Dear Ash_al~

Welcome here to the Forum, where there are people that have had experience in most walks of life and would like to help if they can.

You have the same problem as many, well meaning, probably loving and concerned parents, who think they should steer their offspring into a life that will be good for them, with job opportunities and security. It all sounds pretty good in theory but does not always work out so well. Parents tend to see children as extensions of themselves.

Doing a Diploma of Higher Ed takes enthusiasm, work and ability. without those one is lucky to scrape though, or more likely fail. Going down that path to please parents, or out of a sense of duty is probably not the ideal thing to do. Going down a path of your choosing where you follow what appeals to you and gives you satisfaction is a better way.

My parents wanted me to do law at uni, so I went. I was terrible at it, though to be honest I did not have enough enthusiasm to work properly at it, and then I dropped out and was fortunate enough to get a job doing what I had always wanted. Many years later I went back to uni doing something for me, and passed well.

So I guess if you want to have a fulfilling life in the future you really do need to come to an understanding with your parents. I'm not sure what that would be. Obviously you want some form of art in your life, though if you should drop your Diploma, or continue on with some extra tuition in maths is another matter. Getting the qualification is helpful in its own right and does not necessarily mean employment in that field.

Can I suggest a serious talk with your parents? They do sound as if they want the best for you and should be able to see your artistic talent needs expression. Examine what can be done to get you some artistic training and entry into competitions as well as a 'secure' career stream.

What do you think?

Croix

demonblaster
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Ash hi & welcome to bb 🙂

Darl its very clear where your passion is & sounds like you have natural talent, its what you love then its what you should imo be doing.

Your parents sound as though they care & love you & want the best for you so you need to convince them arts your passion & is whats going to make you happy.

Suggesting to tell them you're stressing on doin other stuff but be very clear.

With/out attitude as such it is your life & its less than more that really know what they want to do let alone being good at it.

Seems like its your vocation

All very best 👍

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni
hello Ash_al, normally if your parents decide on what you should be doing, rather than doing what you yourself wants to do, it's sure that it will fail.
You can't be told what career you should be doing, just to please your parents, it just doesn't work like that and certainly won't turn out to be successful.
Imagine your parents deciding to paint your bedroom white, but you don't want it to be plain and want a peach colour, would you be happy with white, no, of course not, the same principle applies here with what you love doing, artwork and designing clothes, then you have to follow your dream.
Put the question back onto them and ask them what their parents wanted them to do in life and see if it happened, but were they happy.
You can get a degree but if you're not going to use it, then was it worth it. Geoff.

ash_al
Community Member

Hi Croix,

Thank you for your advice. I personally think talking to my parents would be a good idea. However, I feel like finishing the Diploma first since next term would be my last and the subjects that I will be taking are the prerequisite subjects for dentistry. I would like to wait and see what would be the outcome before making a decision on what to do next. Do you think I'm making the right decision? and also I'm so afraid to talk to my parents I don't know where to begin and how to say it. I just don't want to disappoint them with my decision and I'm worried if I am really making the right choice and fail if I don't follow my parents decisions.

Croix
Community Champion
Community Champion

Dear Ash_al~

Thank you for saying more. I had not realized your Diploma was so close to completion. If it was me I'd try to see it though with only one more term to go. Admittedly it might take extra coaching in math, but that is doable I would expect.

I think that talking to your parents is essential, I've no idea if you can finance your self to the end of your studies, or are relying on them. So I would think you have a could of things to talk about, firstly of course getting to the end of your Diploma, and secondly what you want to do afterwards.

It may be that after next term there might be room for you to develop your artistic talents, join art competitions and even scout around for employment related to that area. If your parents see you have qualification to fall back on they might be less worried.

As for actually how to talk to them, I can only suggest that if you anticipate face to face conversation may not get things across as you might like then maybe write a letter and give them time to read it before talking.

Knowing what yo want to say is the basis of it of course, so have what you want to do mapped out first, but be prepared to look at any proposals they might have that are reasonable.

Do you think that sounds a bit like what you want to do?

Croix

ash_al
Community Member

Hi Croix,

Thank you for your reply. My parents are paying for my tuition and yes writing a letter would be another way to do it because then, I can express myself more. I've always wanted someone to help me with my maths, I've tried to email someone at my uni. to help me but I did not get any reply at all. Also, for the art competition, I actually don't know how and where to join and I don't have that much materials to do my artwork, which is unfortunate.

Croix
Community Champion
Community Champion

Dear Ash_al~

Well, the maths should be easy to sort out. First port of call should be your lecturer who may know someone suitable. In addition each school has a stable of tutors they use for official tutorials. My experience tells me some of them do private tuting on the side. So contact school secretaries and see how you go. The Student Union is another place where tutors advertise and are found.

I would not think finding about art competitions that difficult, the web is a great resource. Now I'm not sure what discipline of art you are interested in but most times one can improvise. Of course for a formal artwork it might not be the case, but to put down ideas or capture a scene simple sketches or digital images might be a start.

Talking to your parents might require some thought, however if you are basically doing what they wish by completing your Diploma they may well look favorably at your need for artistic expression. Perhaps something with a time limit?

Croix

Mathy
Community Member

Hey Ash_al,

Butting in here. Croix has given you some excellent advice. For your Maths problems, I just wanted to say that there are some excellent online Maths study sites. I’m assuming you’re doing Y12 maths? I have a Maths degree, so if you post back with what’s causing you the most trouble, I’m happy to look up some web resources for you, and post them here, if that helps.

Regarding your future. What you are currently studying is a good building block for your future, so don’t think of it as a waste of time - good education is useful, as you move through life, you’ll understand that.

I would put your expectations and your parent’s expectations on the back burner for now. Just focus on completing what you need to do now, and do it as well as you can. You’re 75% down the path, and you can finish.

I’ll keep and eye on your thread. If you can post some specific issues you have with maths, I’ll find you some resources, OK ? Cheers M 🙂

ash_al
Community Member
Thank you Mathy 🙂 I will do for sure.