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My Decision Could Affect Us All
Female, 18
I am from Puerto Rico. My economic status is slowly descending more and more into being from average to poor. My dad owns a restaurant that is driving us all nuts; being the owner and only the five of us helping out is not as easy as it sounds (mom, dad, me and my younger siblings). Plus, my family in general isn't all that helpful. I am about to go to college and now both my brother and sister are going to be in a private school - meaning its a lot of money that gets pulled out of us. I may not get economic assistance so I will probably need to make a loan. Not pretty. My sister's fifteenth birthday is next year and with all the money we will need now... well we may not be able to do what she wants to do - a trip to California.
I, being the oldest of my siblings, feel thag its my responsability to help out with the money. My passions however are all in art - writing, drawing, painting, dancing, singing and secretly acting. I would need to put aside my desires to provide my family. I am going in by Geology, but don't know if the job probabilities in the future are high nor if the salary would be enough for them. I am really lost here, this is a lot of responsability that's been put onto my shoulders. Any advice as to what career I should uphold or what I should do in general?
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You should stop worrying about your sisters birthday, and start focusing on your education and your plans.
I appreciate your concern for others, but you are taking on too much. Taking out a loan for the first time to go to school is scary, but lots of people (most people really) do it, and it's okay. There is no reason to make yourself sick over it.
I understand you 'feel' it's your responsibility to help your younger siblings finically... but it's not. Your job is to be the big sister, someone they can turn to for advice and support. You aren't responsible for their school fees or big birthday gifts. Your siblings should not be financially dependant on you. That is your parents role.
In general, you need to take a deep breath and let your parents be the parents, and let you be the teenager. Your job right now is to take care of you, so that you can become a strong adult. Focus on your choices and your goals. This is the time to be a bit selfish and make sure you are on the path you need to be on.
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First of all if your parents have not asked you to help out with money then it is not your responsibility. Your responsibility to them is to be the best you that you can be. That means going on to college even if it means taking out student loans. If you still feel the need to help your family financially when you have completed college you will be in a much better position to get a high paying job then you are now with just a high school education.
As to what courses to take in College; if Geology is a subject that interests you then take Geology course. You say though that your interests run to writing, drawing, painting, dancing and acting. If these are the subjects that really excite you then pick the one that most excites you and study in that area.
The worst thing you can do to yourself is to define your goals in life based on monetary values. You can have all the money you will ever want or need and still be miserable if you don't like what you are doing. You also probably won't be as successful at what you're doing as you would be if it was something you loved.
As a parent I can tell you that your parents may be very disappointed to see you pass on college out of a sense of responsibility to them. If they have not asked for your help then before you do anything rash, such as passing on college, talk to them. Tell them what you're planning to do and why. They may not want or need your help.
Your father is a business man. If he could not afford to send your siblings to private school or you to college or at least assist you with college; he would not do so. Don't count the money in his wallet, so to speak. Get the facts, then make a decision.
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