TeenHelp - Man, This Is Crazy

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Man, This Is Crazy

So a little back story. I've always loved animation ever since elementary school and I always knew I wanted to be an an animator when I grew up. So obviously I would want to choose animation for college. But next year I'm supposed to go to college, I already knew which college I'm gonna go to that have an animation or at least art major and suddenly my mom told me I'm not allowed to take animation in college. And she told me that I wanted to take animation not because I actually like animation and wanna be an animator and all that jazz, but I chose animation and art in general because it's easy. Oh so we're just ignoring the years I learned to draw and all the times I told her about my dreams? Alright. And she said that if I wanted art that bad then I'm only allowed to do film. Film is similar to animation. Of course. But I don't love film the same way I love animation. I just couldn't. So after I thought about my future in film I finally accepted that I won't survive that. I couldn't. I'm the type of person who wouldn't move forward if I truly hate something. So I told my mom "fine I'm giving up my art. I'll choose engineering or physics or something" and she looked really happy. And for a while I was really depressed. I try not to be. But that also means I got tired of fighting for my choices. My mom is the type of person who would give me an illusion of free will. She would give me choices but if I choose something that she doesn't like she would try and persuade me to choose the other one. So obviously I got tired of that shit and just let her have her way. But lately she's been calling me weak. What? Is she stupid? She's the one who's making the choice FOR ME and she doesn't like it when I choose the opposite so obviously I just followed her decisions. And I'm weak? Okay. If that's how it goes I'm fine with that. I'm sick and tired of this. I'm never living life the way I wanted and I bet I'll die without reaching any of the goals I set for myself. I'm tired and she's playing a stupid game. The version of me that I try to built up since childhood will never see the light of day. I give up. I'll just let her do whatever she wants at this point. No use in fighting, it'll just make me feel worse. I'd rather just be stupid for now. I'll do it. I'll take engineering, or physics, and whatever she wants me to do. Yeah who even wants to follow their dreams. In this economy?

Re: Man, This Is Crazy

Is your mom paying for your college? If not you should take animation anyway since it’s what your passion is. It may also be a good idea to develop a portfolio and look to see if there are any grants or scholarships you can get to cover the cost of tuition so you don’t have to rely on your mom paying at all.

I’m sorry she’s being like this though. Maybe you can have a deep conversation with her on how much animation means to you? Give her some talking points how you’re so passionate and why, such as if something inspired you. If you have any stats on careers I’d include those too.

Re: Man, This Is Crazy

Hello,

I am sorry about what you have been going through and I hope that you will be okay soon. You can just Google scholarships and so many will come up. Also, you can talk to whatever school you are going to go to and ask what kind of scholarships do they have for you to fill out. I hope everything will be okay.

Re: Man, This Is Crazy

Is your mom paying for college? If she isn’t then she says has no say in what you take or major in. If she is paying for college, I would honestly sit down with her explain to her why you want to major in art and do animation? And try and make her understand. Or maybe compromise and tell her you’ll take engineering class but will also be taking some art and animation too. See what she says. I don’t think she has a right to tell you what to major in or take. Also if you’ll be 18 soon I don’t think she can even find out what you take unless you tell her. Unless she has threatened you and said she won’t pay for college if you take art and animation then I think there is hope for you to still take what you want.

Re: Man, This Is Crazy

Hello there,

I'm sorry to hear and I can understand the frustration to some extend. I wanted to go to university straight out of school but my parents encouraged me to go out and work first as I can easily change my mind in regards to what I actually study. I am glad that I listened to them as I know quite a few people that changed mid-degree and I have actually stuck to what I want to do. I'm almost at the end of my degree with having only one more year to complete it.

But that's besides the point. Everyone's situation is different. If you are passionate about animation, then that's the course that YOU do. No-one else can tell you what you can and can't study. Follow your dreams and I can't wait to see your animations in the future. :)