So I have no idea how many of you will be able to relate to my question - but it's an inquiry that restlessly bounces around in my mind, especially as of late.
Being part of the first generation in my family to be born in the United States, I feel that expectations for me are high to go into college. The members on my mom's side of the family have not attended college and that is mainly due to the fact that they have spent their lives working hard in farms in Mexico. However, thanks to my mom's sacrifices, I've been given the amazing opportunity to be born and raised in one of the most educated countries in the world (although the election results really make me second guess that statement). Since elementary school, I've always felt I should be trying my hardest and I certainly want to make my mother proud and have the chance to pay her back for everything she's done for me. The answer to this for me, has always been "college". I've had the image of college branded into my plans for the future so that there would be no way of erasing the thought, however, admittedly, I am having second thoughts. I certainly desire to please my family and have a successful future, but I feel that I have led them to have high expectations for me that I might fail and the thought of disappointing them is not something I look forward to.
So my question to you is this: Does your family influence your choice to go to college?
My family has definitely influenced my choice of going to college. Ever since I was a little girl my parents told me that I HAD to go to college. I know that there are other options out there, but I honestly feel like going to college is my only option. At this point I feel like it would be pointless in trying to tell my mom that I didn't want to go to college. She'd probably think I was joking and laugh in my face. I know that all she wants to do is make sure that I'm on the very best path to success, but I don't think that she would consider any other paths for me other than the college path.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you find peace with your situation. I would think that your mom would be proud of you regardless of what you choose (college or not). I do know that whatever you choose your mom will love you unconditionally... She may just need to get over the initial shock of you changing your mind about something she's envisioned for you since you were little. Good luck!
To answer your question, my family has also been a big part of my decision to go to college. With having two older sister who are currently attending universities, I most definitely feel the pressure of my parents and family expecting me to go to college. They are the two main role models that I have in my life, and I most definitely want to follow into their footsteps. It is never asked if I wasn't to go, I only get asked which college I want to go to. But honestly I don't mind, I think college is the best for my personal future. But likewise to Mily, most of my older generation of family members did not have the same opportunity that we all have now to extend and strengthen our education, so I am glad that I have the fortune of doing that!
ReplyDeleteI can 100% relate to how you feel. My parents were refugees of the Cambodian genocide and came to America without knowing a lick of English. They've worked day in and day out to get to where they are. They continuously do whatever to support my brother and I and I'm forever grateful for them. To answer your question, yes. My family does influence my choice to go to college. Although they don't necessarily influence me to go to some big name college like my brother, there's still the the pressure I put on myself to do so to make my parents proud.
ReplyDeleteMy parents have influenced me to go to college too because they had one daughter that didn't go, and I feel like I shouldn't bring them disappointment again. I decided I'd make them happy and go to college even though it's just a community college, at least it's something.
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