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Dealing with parent pressure???

I'm in year 13 about to apply for uni on ucas, i was originally going down the med/dent route but I decided it's not for me. My mum is super disappointed that I don't want to do that anymore and keeps telling me I'll regret it and makes negative comments about anything else I'm interested in. Then she says things like at least go for Oxbridge but my gcses were mid and I don't have the energy to prepare for another entrance test (I already did the ucat because she wanted me to, again, got a mid score)

I want to do biology or neuroscience but she keeps saying such negative things about it but biology is the only subject I actually enjoy and I realised that was the aspect I liked about med and dent, the actual technical and scientific side not being with patients, I am a MASSIVE introvert and not a people person at all. I've tried to tell her as well how I'm prioritising my mental health by going for something less competitive and have even said I'll apply to imperial or ucl to at least attempt at a top uni but she's just not happy - I should also mention she's Asian, studies at Oxford, and is now a professor so has high expectations for me, constantly saying I've got her brains and stuff but I'm very mediocre in academic and that's being realistic not deprecating or anything lol

Does anyone have any advise on how to get her to calm a bit or at least how to deal with it on my end? Anything is appreciated :frown:

Reply 1

Original post by Anonymous
I'm in year 13 about to apply for uni on ucas, i was originally going down the med/dent route but I decided it's not for me. My mum is super disappointed that I don't want to do that anymore and keeps telling me I'll regret it and makes negative comments about anything else I'm interested in. Then she says things like at least go for Oxbridge but my gcses were mid and I don't have the energy to prepare for another entrance test (I already did the ucat because she wanted me to, again, got a mid score)
I want to do biology or neuroscience but she keeps saying such negative things about it but biology is the only subject I actually enjoy and I realised that was the aspect I liked about med and dent, the actual technical and scientific side not being with patients, I am a MASSIVE introvert and not a people person at all. I've tried to tell her as well how I'm prioritising my mental health by going for something less competitive and have even said I'll apply to imperial or ucl to at least attempt at a top uni but she's just not happy - I should also mention she's Asian, studies at Oxford, and is now a professor so has high expectations for me, constantly saying I've got her brains and stuff but I'm very mediocre in academic and that's being realistic not deprecating or anything lol
Does anyone have any advise on how to get her to calm a bit or at least how to deal with it on my end? Anything is appreciated :frown:

I'm so sorry for you! I completely understand what you're going through - I, too, am I a complete introvert with pushy parents who are never happy with me! I would tell you to just have a talk with her, in which you prioritise what you want for yourself, and your choices. You should lay out what you want to do for uni and why. Your opinion is 100% valid, and should be at the forefront of your mind when it comes to choosing your uni courses. Additionally, TELL her what you want to do. Don't ask her. If she wants you to do well, she will eventually respect your choices when she can see how adamant you are to stick by them. Good luck!

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