Follow my Dreams OR Follow the Paycheck ” My parents gave me two options to choose for a Major”

Question: Hello Madam Koverage. I grew up in a household, where bringing anything less than an “A” was unacceptable. So you can definitely say I was always in the books, making sure that I maintained my 4.0 GPA. Upon starting college my parents gave me two options to choose for a major: Biology or Nursing. I know what you’re thinking.. how come they chose my major for me? Well they were the ones paying for my tuition and dorm fees so I really did not have a choice. I decided to go with Biology, knowing deep down inside, I did not want to do either. I struggled over the first few years trying to make sure I didn’t fail any classes, because my heart was not in it. I knew something had to change, which was my major, but my parents were not having it. I ended up graduating with a 3.6 GPA in Biology and headed off to Medical School. Everyone around me applauded me for my success, but deep down inside, I wasn’t making myself happy. I was chasing the dream for my parents and others, because they always said ” Make sure you choose a career in the Medical/Healthcare field, that is where the money is at”.  Of course I want to make a lot of money, but I want to be happy to wake up each morning to go to work. My dream has always been to pursue acting. I am 23, and now about to enter my second year of Medical School. Do I stop, and finally chase my dreams? Or do I finish what I started, and finish Medical School? Please Help! 

Answer: Wow! Let me just say, you are definitely not the only person struggling with this type of situation. So thank you for being an outlet for others. I can’t sit here and tell you exactly what to do, but I will say a few things. So you can figure out from there, what you want to do. Life is too short to live a lie, and not pursue your dreams, because you want to live a fulfilled life before it is your time to go. You have been living a dream for others for the last 23 years, so what really do you want to do? Your parents for the most part, will never steer you wrong, because they know what careers bring in a quality paycheck, and want you to have the best. And you can always have the best, regardless of what field you decide to pursue. Whether acting or Medical School, you have to give it more than 100%. because there are people waiting to take your spot. Really sit down and think, am I ready to give up all my hard efforts it took me to get into Medical School? Because trying to become an established actor will not be easy either. But if that is where your heart is at, it may be worth the risk. Pray about it, and ask for guidance and direction, and I pray that whichever path you choose, you are filled with fulfillment and also a quality paycheck!  

1 thought on “Follow my Dreams OR Follow the Paycheck ” My parents gave me two options to choose for a Major”

  1. It seems like your situation is a very sticky one, and I for one am sorry that your being forced to not fully be the person in who you want to be. Due to the fact that you have already came so far with Biology and was able to get into medical school (congratulations on that), I would say to just finish it up… your almost at the finish line and you will gain much (monetary wise) for it. If you are a believer, I will first say to put it in the hands of the Lord, If your parents are not budging at all refer to “Ephesians 6:1-3”, like Madam Koverage said your parents will never steer you wrong. Next the important thing to keep in mind is that after you have achieved that, you still have a full life ahead of you and can accomplish so much more with acting if you still choose to. What I would recommend is that on your downtime, look up different activities that focuses on acting, that way your able to get your fix on that while still keeping your parents happy. I wish you the absolute best with whatever you decide to do.

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