dream school or parents dream school?

chicagoing, ADN, RN · Jan 10, 2011

I would consider 1) your career goals and 2) the cost of attending your desired institution vs. your parents'. Will your parents be paying part of or your entire way through college?

elkpark · Jan 10, 2011

If your parents are paying for all or most of your education, then you are pretty much obligated to do what they want. If you're paying for school yourself, that's a different matter.

FLDoula · Jan 11, 2011

Totally agree with the above posters and your parents. If your parents are paying you are pretty much obligated to do what they want, if not maybe you could work out a compromise. From parental experience... We live in one city and 2 of our kids go to school 7 hours away. One just graduated with her masters and the other is in his 5th year of engineering. They have to pay their tuition and other school expenses now that both are working, we pay all living expenses. Trust me when I say that in this economy that is no easy feat. Supporting 2 hourseholds and 3 in college is very expensive. When they first moved away the economy was still strong and

All kids would like to get away from their parents and I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but I've been through 3 leaving the nest and the next one starts college next year. It's just the nature of kids. (please take no offense I remember wanting to get away from my parents too) Going away to school may not be easier and you may not necessarily study any better. Why is it you cannot study at home? Just curious.

jtboog2003 · Jan 11, 2011

You should go where you want. A lot of people I've been to school with either dropped out or flunked out of the school that their parents chose for them so I don't think it's a good thing to advise someone to go to a school because their parents are "paying." That's why a lot of people have problems in school because they are so busy trying to make their parents happy. It's not about your parents, it's about you, you are the one in school and if you really feel your choice school would be a better environemnt for you then pursue it. There are ways to do it.

lovelikeamber · Jan 11, 2011

Thankss everyone. It hard to study at home due to a noisy parrot and the tv is constantly on (echos through entire house way it is set up). I will be paying for most of my tuition but my parents offered to help with some expenses if i need it.

chicagoing, ADN, RN · Jan 11, 2011

If you did choose to live at home, is there either a college or public library you could use with designated quiet areas?

lovelikeamber · Jan 11, 2011

Yes, thats a good idea.

stefanyjoy · Jan 11, 2011

Hey, just from personal experience, it would also help to know how old you are. I wish I had listened to my parents and stayed home when I was in my late teens, but now in my mid-twenties I trust my judgement now.

If the only thing preventing you from staying home is your study enviornment, you could always check out places by you that you can study -- campus library, public library, book stores that stay open late. I used to study at home with my husband and 5 year-old daughter making so much noise, and the first time I actually just went to a Barnes and Noble to study I was like "Wow! This is awesome!". Plus living away from home doesn't mean you'll have less distractions - just different ones. It is more tempting to have friends over, do other things, etc. when you have more independence and no one is telling you to stay home and study. A lot of people fail out of college that way, too.

Sart45 · Jan 12, 2011

Just curious...are you working full-time to pay all your own living expenses? Are your parents paying your "room & board", insurance, car, utilitites, etc. ? If they are I would certainly think you need to follow their requests; if you are serious about your education you should be happy you don't have to worry about where you live! The library is an absolutely wonderful place to study. What makes your choice of a "dream school"; is it a better program or just a means to get away from home? If it really is a highly respected program---present facts and discuss this with your folks and maybe they'll understand.