Sally

I recently realized that I gave up my dream college because of my parents. During my junior year of high school, I was getting really pumped about graduation and going to my dream college. My parents were very supportive, showing how we had money saved for it, going on college visits, even getting a few things for a dorm room. Then as my senior year in HS went on, my parents started saying things like "why don't you stay home and take your electives at a community college?". Nothing financially had changed, but their relationship had gotten really rocky.

Regardless, I listened to them, and went to a local college. Now, 4 years later, I'm not even halfway done with college and am trying to move out this fall. I realized that at this point I have neither the grades to get a scholarship, nor the money to go without one to my dream college, so I've had to choose a new one. My parents have started doing the same thing- at first being really enthusiastic, but then starting to ask why I should leave because I'm not done with my basic courses.

How can I talk to them and explain how upset I am that I had to give up something so important? How can I tell them how heartbroken I am that I'll never be able to go where I want? How can I explain that I bent to their wishes once, and will regret it for the rest of my life? All I want to do is move out, finish college, and get on with te rest of my life, but they don't seem to feel the same. How can I tell them that?

Any advice would be welcome!