I'm 20 years old, and I attended George Mason University for my first year of college. I decided after that year that I wanted to be a vet tech, and go to vet tech school. Because Mason does not offer vet tech majors, i had to drop out of Mason and move back in with my parents. I thought it was going to be for a year, but it turns out I have to spend another year before I can go to vet tech school. I want to get my own apartment with a close friend of the family (its a girl) closer to my work and classes. My parents are extremely over protective and a bit controlling. How do I convince them it's time for me to get an apartment, and have them realize it'd save me gas and a lot more money because I have to commute 35 minutes to work and school everyday, without making them so upset???
122358
First of all I am a mother and I still have been overbearing to my 19 year. old but little by little I have let her be on her own, she is a hard worker, and when I was 18 I just moved out without telling my parents, but my mother looked into my purse and found the agreement letter for my apt. So I believe the best thing to do is tell your parents you are moving out on April 15, for example. Believe me they will be Hurt and mad, but if you believe in God. God will take care of your mom and dad. And move out. Later my mom wasn't mad at me any longer. So they will get over it. Just pray when u tell ur parents. But set up a move out date first..They will be upset for a little while so expect that..good luck.. a 50 yrs. old Mother that understands what your going threw..
377674
Ooooo i remember the strictness of when i was 15 it was about the same curfew as you. So stick it out arguing about it didnt get me anywhere. When you turn 16 and so on they should ease up! \n\nPersonally i think it is wrong for your parents to decided what career you are going to do. Think about it doing something you dont enjoy for a big part of your life for a good pay its not worth it. My dad told me 'i could be anything i wanted to be' and he didnt really have a say when i was choosing my college course...i made mistakes on my own but thats the best way to learn. \n\nThere is noway you can change their minds they have there heart sent on their little girl becoming a police officer!! But if you feel so passionate about a diff future then go for it you cant live someone elses dreams!!
566857
Wow!  What a great career goal, good luck to you!\n\nA quick search of a few vet schools revealed some interesting information.  Some of them require a certain number of pre-vet hours and some of them require a degree for admission.\n\nCheck the admission requirements for the schools you wish to apply to.  If they only require hours, ultimately the vet school will confer your degree.  If they require a degree, then your current program may not be adequate for admission.\n\nUnderstanding the requirements of the school you wish to attend will ensure that you are properly prepared when application time rolls around.\n\nBest Wishes!
489325
it seems like mom doesn't like the way you keep changing your mind - to go to school, not to go to school.  if she's paying the bill for college, she's probably afraid it's a waste of money.  why don't you talk to a college counselor and get some advice on what you you should major in.  it really does help if you get focused on what you would like to become.  it would also show your mom that you are very SERIOUS in what you are planning with your life; and, with or without her help, you will graduate college - and, if need be, get a part time job to prove to her that you mean business...and, the biggest part - REALLY MEAN IT!  Show her that you are mature enough and keep going to school, once you start, until you graduate.  then mom and you can look back on these days of undecided and laugh-knowing you made the right decision.  let me be the first to congratulate the college graduate (a little, premature, i know, but i bet you get there.)\n good luck!
602906
I think you should just talk to your parents about moving to the dorms. Maybe they will understand. Just tell them how you feel and that you want to be on your own and more responsible. Personally, I don't think college is the same if you live at home. You need to take care of yourself, experience more freedom, have more responsibility, and find out who you are for yourself!
604052
You are very honest. Many high school students go to college just because that's what their parents do. I am 25 years old. I tried the college thing at 19 years and it didn't work-I wanted to have fun. When I was 24 I felt that I was ready for college and I am now 2 years away from my bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture. I LOVE school. You should go when you feel that you are ready-not when others think you should be ready. No reason to set yourself up for failure-not that you would fail, but you know what I mean. But when You think you are ready, make sure of it. It can be a huge waste of money if you end up dropping out. Good luck.
510949
You are old enough to make the decision on where you want to live and whom you want a every other weekend visit.  talk to your parents and explain to them that this is too much for you.  You have enough pressure just surviving your teenage years.  Good luck
473636
sounds like a challenge for sure!\nIt sounds like you work hard, but your mom expects you to help out the same as well. \nFirst of all, I think you are carrying too much coursework for your first year. You can always cut back to 12 hours or something. You do not need to overdo it that much, what are you in the hurry for? Next time, classes are scheduled, cut down a bit and take some funner classes. Life doesn't have to be that hard!\n\nSecond of all, either you need to realize that you have to help out and do what your mom wants since you live under her roof, or you're going to have to go get your own place, seriously! Parents still put their rules on their kids as long as they're in the house. I doubt it's an option for you to move somewhere else, right?\n\nI would talk to my mom when she isn't mad, isn't waiting for you to do something, or frazzled, or you frazzled either. Sit down and have a good heart-to-heart. Tell her you're overwhelmed and need some relaxation time. Go over what she expect of you. You cannot expect to do nothing at all. Maybe she'll give you Sundays free to yourself. Maybe you can discuss cutting back on classes a bit, or getting other family members to help out more, etc. If it doesn't work out, tell you're going to have to move out. Life is hard. I had full-time college, I was a single mom, I worked full-time and I lived out on my own. So it can be done! Maybe you needed a few months off from school as a refresher, too?\n\nGood luck whatever happens!
672587
Well your first out is your school. See about housing. If this does not work out then see of friends want to go in with you on a place and be room mates. A lot of times if you get a couple of friends that want to get out on their own as well rent split 3 ways can be very inexpensive. Also look for places within a 5 mile radius of the college. A lot of times you can find apartments that rent only to college students at a great rate. You can get a part time job and schedule work and school around each other. Check with your schools resource office. Most times they will have Information about Businesses that hold a certain number of jobs for college students as well. Also whatever your major is look into finding a job that allows you to get on the job training along with earning a living. There alot of things that you can do to get out. You just have to do the leg work. Use your school resources I promise in a short time you will have your own life.
623614
Bravo, for furthering your education!  I just finished my master's degree and am starting my doctorate this fall.  Both of my parents went to college when I was in high school, and it was hard for them.  On one hand, it did stress to me that education is important, but on the other, they struggled to meet the demands of family, work, school, finances, etc. and I knew I didn't want to do it that way.  It's good that you're thinking of doing it early in your family life and before you have other children (my parents had 4 of us from ages 16 to 6 when they went back).  And setting an example for your daughter will be an added benefit.\n\nCommunity college is a good way to ease into going back to school.  I went to a kind of community college (a small branch of a large university) for my first two years of school and then transferred my credits to another university to finish my BA.  You'll take the same general education courses (math, writing, history, etc.) at most colleges/universities anyway, so it might be a good idea to take some (less expensive) community college classes, get to know what you'd like to study, and transfer if you decide it's your cup of tea.  I highly recommend that route; obviously, I loved it!  \n\nGood luck!
207327
You can't do anything in regards to your parents. BUT I say stay in school get educated and then move out on your own. If your father is wrong then give your mom support. And right now, from what you have supplied here your dad is dead wrong.
413589
Statements you are making are conflicting....\n\nYou are financially independent.  You make enough to have a decent living but you still live at home and you have very limited budget for college.\n\nThis does not make any sense.  \n\nIt seems you have to set/reset your priorities.  You can't have EVERYTHING.  If it is your desire to get an education, then cut down on some of your liesure activities.\n\nMy suggestion is to start with community colleges.  Tuitions are a lot less.  You can get an AA degree and it will substitute for the first 2 years of the 4 year college.
18663
Dear Confused, I know it's a touch decision, but you do have a lot of opportunities you may not be able to see.  First, see the reason WHY it's such a difficult decision...all your life (most of it) so far, has been influenced or decided on by your parents, relatives, friends, etc.  This will be the first REAL decision on your own.  Second, think about who you are and what strong qualities you have.  Try to see where you'd fit in to the workplace best, for you and for others to benifit.  Third, check out volunteer jobs.  After school or an internship during the summer.  Don't commit yourself to it, but stay long enough to see if you like it.  I joined the Air Force after graduation.  It was the best four years I gave myself.  It taught me a lot about keeping fit, self-respect, organization, why it's important to follow guidelines, self-discapline, and much much more that I will keep using throughout my life.  Now, I have two kids, stay at home running my business and enjoying life.  I wish you the very best in your life and remember, nothing is carved in stone.  If you feel you've made a wrong decision, you can always make a change.  Life it too short to devote it all to something that doesn't make you fulilled and happy.
610509
As a homeschool graduate myself, I know you all are going through a lot.  It's hard to keep things together, especially if you are living on one income, like my family did.  I just want to encourage you to keep up the fight- for whatever reason you are homeschooling.  I wouldn't trade my homeschooled years for anything.  As far as homeschooling and working a full-time job, please, do whatever you can as far as putting your family on a budget, cutting back on superfluous spending and so forth, before you go out and get another job.  Part of the beauty of homeschooling is being able to spend those critical years with your children- and if you're working full-time, it's very difficult to do everything that needs to be done, let alone find time for any extracurricular activity.  The last thing you want is for you family to struggle because you don't have enough time for each other (hubby included). Let your younger children started doing chores around the house.  Your older children can help out there, too.  My mom worked cleaning houses and apartment complexes while my siblings and I were growing up, and we helped her do and earned a little money of our own on the side.  All of us worked at some sort of job outside the home by the time we were 14 years of age- some people may think that was awful that we had to do that, but some of the best lessons I ever learned, I learned on the job.  It's also a great way to teach good work ethics, honesty, reliability, dedication, etc, by EXAMPLE.  It's a better teacher than any lecture.  Best wishes to you as you continue your journey. :)
433539
I don't think the best idea is to move out.  If I were you I would get into school!  That is ur best bet for a job that will help you get on ur way to having ur own place.  I wouldn't rush..you have ur whole adult life to be on ur own.
231090
It's summer and school is out now so why not give it a trial run with your dad. Go spend the summer with him, check out the school where you would go if you moved and give yourself a real chance to see what all the changes would be like. If when you get closer to the end of summer you feel like you'd like to give it a little more time and actually attend the school there then give it the first semester to get an even better feel for those who would be your classmates and friends if you moved. It's always hard when we have to make choices but what's important is that we do so with all the knowledge we can get in order to make the best possible choice. In your case I think this is more about what's going to ultimately be best for you and enhance your life. Your parents are both loving and understanding and obviously want these things for you too.\n\nBest of Luck!!
202464
As a parent, education is #1 in our home as well. However, you are 20 years old and assure your parents that you understand their concerns and that they raised you well enough to know the "dangers" and "stupidity" that comes with your situation. They will never stop worring, that is their job! I say, have your relationship BUT, do NOT let it interfere with your college! No surprises and take it slow! Good Luck !