Life goals

So, here’s my story...
I enrolled in law school last year. To be honest, I was just chasing the "one day" paycheck. I didn't really stop to think about the sheer amount of studying and grinding required just to reach a salary that, frankly, isn't even that life-changing.
After a year, my transcript was basically a blank slate (except for English, which actually stuck), but I wasn't ready to throw in the towel just yet. Right after summer break, I headed straight back to campus to give it everything I had.
By September, I managed to pass the written portions of two exams, but the oral exams absolutely crushed me. That was the turning point; I lost all motivation for this degree. I couldn't face flipping through hundreds of pages of the same textbooks or staring at those same professors again. Every time I tried to start studying, I'd just picture those monsters and quit.
Two weeks ago, I decided to drop out of law school. I’m not someone who quits things easily, but I’ve realized this path isn't worth my mental health.
For the past month, I’ve been totally isolating myself. I haven't been eating much—which is weird because I usually eat five to seven meals a day, though thank God I'm not losing weight—and I haven't been able to sleep.
Deep down, I’ve always wanted to do something meaningful, like volunteering or working in journalism.😬
Of course, when I mentioned journalism to my parents, they gave me that classic response: "What could you ever make doing that?" So, I went to law school.
Now, the whole house is breathing down my neck, telling me I "wasted two years" for nothing. They’re openly doubting if I’ll ever go back to school at all.
I told them—and I told myself—that I’m going to take the entrance exams for the Philosophy Department this summer. I'll get my hands on some study guides, practice, and hit the books. I want to major in something like linguistics or maybe psychology or sociology. I want to actually enjoy what I'm studying, rather than suffering through law.
They say they support me, but I can see the skepticism and disappointment in their eyes every single day.
I've decided to sign up with a volunteer organization because they travel a lot and help people, which happens to be my two favorite things in the world.🙂
I've realized that everything I truly want to do doesn't come with a massive paycheck. I'm fine with that since I'm not materialistic, but eventually, you have to pay the bills.
So, I am sooo confused and have no idea what to do next.
I'm worried that even if I get into the Philosophy Department, I might struggle to finish on time. Who can guarantee a job, a decent salary, or actual happiness?
I don't know... every day I keep thinking about how I have until July before things change. I'm terrified that if I land a job, the thought of going back to school will slip away, and heaven forbid, I'll give up on higher education entirely.
To make matters worse, my older sister is a total star at her university. Her grades are perfect; she's just killing it.👍
It’s hard to stomach the idea that I might end up being just another "high school graduate with big dreams."
Maybe this is just a phase—maybe it's the stress of the difficult classes or just the fallout from making such a sudden decision—but I feel ridiculous. Like a parasite.
I'm not looking for advice or comments, even though some helpful input might be nice.😉 I just needed to get this off my chest.🙂

- subject closed -

Chloe Lopez77 said:So, here’s my story...
I enrolled in law school last year. Honestly? I was just chasing a "one day" paycheck. I didn't really stop to think about the sheer mountain of studying and exams required to actually get that money—which, let's be real, isn't even that much anyway.
After a year, my transcript is basically a blank slate (except for English, which I actually managed). But I didn't just give up; right after summer break, I dove straight into studying and tried to make it work.
By September, I passed the written parts for two classes, but the oral exams absolutely crushed me. It totally killed my motivation for this whole major. I just couldn't face flipping through hundreds of pages of the same textbook or staring at those same professors again. Every time I tried to start studying, I’d just remember those absolute monsters of instructors and lose all steam.
Two weeks ago, I decided to quit law. I’m usually not the type to ever back down, but I feel like it's just not worth sacrificing my mental health over.
Lately, I’ve been isolating myself from everyone. I haven't been eating much (and normally I eat five or seven meals a day... thank God it hasn't shown on my weight yet), I can't sleep, you name it.
Deep down, I’ve always wanted to do something meaningful, like volunteering or something similar. I also really wanted to be a journalist.😬
Of course, when I told my parents that, they shot me down immediately with that classic line: "What are you going to do with journalism?" So, I went to law school instead.
Now, my family is constantly breathing down my neck about how I "wasted two years" for nothing, and they’re honestly questioning if I’ll even bother finishing my degree at all.
I told them—and I told myself—that I’m going to take the entrance exams for the Philosophy Department this summer. I'll grab some study guides, practice, hit the books, and all that. I want to enroll in something like linguistics, psychology, or sociology—something I can actually enjoy studying, unlike the misery of law school.
They say they support me, but I can see the skepticism and disappointment in their eyes every single day.
I’ve decided to sign up at a volunteer center because they travel a lot and help people, which are two of my favorite things to do.🙂
I’ve realized that everything I truly want to do in life doesn't have a massive material payoff (which is fine by me since I'm not materialistic), but then again, you still have to live somewhere one day.
So, I am sooo confused and I have no idea what to do next.
I'm scared that even if I get into the Philosophy Department, what if I struggle to finish on time? Who can guarantee me a job, a good salary, happiness, or anything else?
I don't know... every day I keep thinking about the fact that I have until July, and I'm terrified that if I land a job somewhere, I'll lose interest in school entirely and—God forbid—just give up on higher education altogether.
To make matters worse, my older sister is a total superstar at her university—straight A's, crushing everything she does.👍
I just can't stand the thought of potentially ending up as just another "average high school grad" who never quite made it.
Maybe this is just a phase—maybe it's just the stress of hard classes or making a sudden decision—but I feel so stupid, like I'm just taking up space.
I'm not looking for advice or comments, though I guess some helpful input wouldn't hurt 😉, I just needed to vent, I guess.🙂

- subject closed -

Nobody can ever guarantee that...

Well, you said you wanted to do journalism, but your parents shut you down... so why not just go for journalism now? They should be your motivation to prove them wrong. Instead of letting their doubt weigh you down, use it as fuel to show them that you actually can do it.

Alright, go get some solid sleep and give that brain of yours a rest... then you can ease your way back into journalism when you're ready.

"... people wouldn't achieve what is possible if they weren't constantly reaching for the impossible..."

Chloe Lopez77 said:Back in September, I actually passed the written exams for two different classes, but then those oral exams totally tanked me. It completely killed my drive for this whole university thing. I just couldn't bring myself to slog through hundreds of pages of the same old textbooks or deal with those same professors all over again. Every single time I tried to start studying, I'd just think about those absolute monsters and give up...

Look, honestly? The only real way out is to go back to campus, suck it up, swallow your pride, and just finish the damn thing.

Walter Myers4 said:Honestly, I think your only real move is to go back to college, suck it up, and just get it over with.

Are you kidding me? Stick around for another three years just to deal with that crap? Seriously, Walter Myers4, what are you even talking about? She absolutely hates her major—it’s not worth it. It would be way smarter for her to find a job in the meantime—keep the parents off her back—and start prepping for those journalism entrance exams instead.

Lawrence Wells said:So she’s just supposed to deal with this crap for at least three more years? Seriously, Walter Myers4, what are you even talking about? She hates her major. It would be way smarter for her to just find a job in the meantime—keep her parents off her back—and start prepping for those journalism entrance exams.

I don't buy it. Honestly, I think this is the only way she's actually going to prove something to herself.
Otherwise, she's just gonna fold every single time life throws a curveball at her later on.

If I were in your shoes, knowing what I know now, 😁 I would have pushed through and finished that degree regardless of how much it took—even if it meant being stuck at home for three years straight. 😁 There is absolutely no way I would have enrolled in something at the Philosophy Department. Not languages, and certainly nothing even more tedious than that. I would have chosen a path that actually paid the bills and provided real utility, leaving my true passions for my free time.

Man, if only I had known this when I was eighteen. 😢

Daniel Lopez said:If I were in your shoes, knowing what I know now, 😁 I’d just grind through it regardless, even if it meant staying cooped up at home for three years... 😁 I certainly wouldn't be enrolling in something at the Philosophy Department. Not languages, and definitely nothing worse than that. I'd pick something practical that actually pays the bills, then pursue my passions on the side.

That assumes she’ll even have any free time left. Besides, if you spend your days doing something that doesn't interest you or fulfill you, it's easy to fail. You can't give it 100% if your heart isn't in it, and you'll just end up quitting anyway.

The other day, I caught myself just sitting there, doing a little deep dive into my own priorities. It’s funny how that works! Once I actually sat down and laid it all out, everything just clicked back into place... honestly, sometimes you just have to pause and take a look at where you're standing right now to see if you're even on the right path.
Of course, that assumes you actually have something worth reviewing in the first place!😉

- I guess the only way to actually achieve nothing in life is to spend all your time doing stuff you actually love.
Do your parents even know where the grass is greener? Probably not. Maybe they think they know where things grow best, but your field might be somewhere else entirely...

When I was a kid, I wanted to get into medicine, psychology, computers... I actually had to earn the money for my second computer (a Commodore 64)... and my folks just kept telling me it was a waste of time...
Where am I now? Well, I scraped by, worked hard... and eventually found success.
I honestly think anyone can find success if they truly put in the work and actually care about what they're doing. But let's face it, you can't really give it your all if you don't love it...

Also, regarding those straight A's in school—in my opinion, that’s not really a deciding factor. I never gave them much thought, even though I had them... While I was in college, I was already running my own business, so I wasn't interested in pulling all-nighters or wasting time studying useless stuff... The result? I landed a job without any issues because, unlike most other students, I actually had real-world experience... Then I got into stocks... caught a wave... and made some money.
From the very first place I worked, which was $0.72, I $0.33 set aside some cash just so I could buy shares in some soda company (Pepsi was $0.67 back then)... everyone (including my brother) looked at us like we were total weirdos. Later on, it grew to $12 (not overnight, obviously)... and that was my first real windfall.

What am I trying to say here? (Aside from bragging about 😬 )
Your parents don't necessarily know where you'll succeed... and honestly, neither do you. It’s up to you... whether you end up being a mediocre journalist or a superstar... but I think the most important thing is to just keep moving forward. Don't waste your time or energy on people who act like they have all the answers for everyone else.

The only question you should really ask yourself is whether you're ready to give everything you've got to be the absolute best at what you love. If you are, then go for it. 🙂

I’d suggest you don't walk away from law just yet. If you truly can't see yourself in those lecture halls—since you picked the major without much passion to begin with—then maybe give journalism a shot. But please, don't drop out of law school quite yet. If journalism actually takes off, switching majors will be the easiest thing you've ever done. On the other hand, if journalism doesn't pan out either, you still have law to fall back on. It's a win-win situation. You mentioned wanting to help people; well, a legal career is one of the most impactful ways to do exactly that. You get to fight for justice on behalf of others in court.
As for balancing work and school, I’m certainly no expert here. I’m currently working while pursuing my law degree part-time, and frankly, it’s exhausting. You have to strike this delicate balance between your job, your studies, your social life, and just... having some fun (you need a life, otherwise you'll burn out). It’s an impossible decision to make, and there's no simple answer, but at least I’m paying my own tuition—which means I don't have to answer to anyone when I fail an exam. Since I'm funding it myself, I own my mistakes.
You brought up failing exams and losing motivation. Look, if everyone passed everything on the first try, what kind of students would they even be? (just kidding). That’s just the reality of college: you take the exams, and you either pass or you don't. That ebb and flow is part of the experience.

Kyle Nelson2 said:What am I trying to tell him? — Aside from the obvious bragging, of course. 😬 )
Your parents might not see where you're truly capable of succeeding—and honestly, neither do you yet. It all comes down to your own drive—whether you decide to be an average reporter, a mediocre one, or a truly great journalist. But if I’m being honest, the most important thing is simply moving forward. Don't waste your time or energy on people who have nothing but advice for everyone else.

The only question worth asking is whether you are truly prepared to give everything—absolutely everything—to become the absolute best at what you love. If the answer is yes, then let’s get to work. 🙂

That works—provided you actually know what you want. From what I can tell, she hasn't even come to terms with her own desires yet. She needs to sit down, take some time to really think, and weigh all the pros and cons before making a move. At the end of the day—honestly—following your heart is the best way to go.
Regarding advice and sharing it with others—I always stick to giving guidance that I have personally tested on myself. It isn't a guarantee that it will work for everyone, but when you find yourself in a tough spot, believe me, any bit of insight is helpful. At the very least, it gives you something to grab onto so you can actually start moving. From there, you just tailor it to fit your own life, your specific goals, and your own motivations.

Yeah... I guess you could put it that way...
Like, if someone actually wants to be a decent journalist, they really ought to have a handle on both law and economics...

A solid journalist makes an effort to master every subject they cover, report on, or dive into. Isn't that just how it works? They don't necessarily need a PhD in the field—but they absolutely have to do the research. At its core, journalism is nothing more than deep investigation.
What I actually said—and you clearly misinterpreted my point—was that she shouldn't give up her legal studies until she sees how she handles journalism. If she switches majors and then fails two or three exams, what’s the plan then? Does she just quit again? Think about it.

I mean, it would feel pretty weird to me if someone stuck with a major they actually hate, only to switch to the one they love and then just drop out entirely if their current program starts looking up...
I guess journalism isn't exactly nuclear physics or anything... you don't really need to be that paranoid about it.

My advice? Don't just drop out entirely. Let the degree sit on the back burner for a year. If you want to pursue journalism, wait until next year when things settle down. And if you’re worried about losing that spark or running out of steam—just print out everything you've written and tape it to your wall. Let it slap you in the face every single day to remind you why you started.

To's like saying elementary school was basically nuclear physics for some people.
All jokes aside—journalism isn't exactly a walk in the park either. By that logic, most Americans should be professional journalists by now—given how easy it supposedly is to grab a degree in the field.
It’s certainly not the hardest major when you compare it to things like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or architecture. Honestly, any degree will be a grind if you aren't willing to put in the work and actually sit your ass in a chair to study.

Chloe Lopez77, I’d say you should really sit down and think long and hard about what you actually want out of life. If it truly feels that uninspiring, just walk away. Don't worry about disappointing your parents or anyone else. If you aren't feeling it now, you're never going to finish. I know from experience—I've started a mountain of things just because I felt pressured to, and none of them ever saw the light of day because my heart wasn't in it.

Regarding journalism, honestly? Look into some alternatives. It’s not that I have anything against any specific college major, but there’s just no money in journalism. On average, they're some of the most unemployed people in the US. A tiny handful actually make it to the level of a major network anchor like Walter Cronkite or Anderson Cooper if that's your goal. But if you look closer, you'll see most "journalists" making a decent living are just working behind the scenes. You rarely hear their names, they pull in an average salary of maybe $3,000 a month, and the kicker? Most of them didn't even study journalism.

Sure, investigative journalism is an interesting path, but you’ll either be constantly sucking up to some editor just to get sent on a story, or you'll be funding your own work.

Anyway, that's just my take. Do what you gotta do. 👍

Thanks for the advice... honestly, last night was just one of those moments where I let my guard down a little too much. 😬
I'm thinking about heading over to FC Barcelona this summer, maybe pick up a language or something and find work in tourism. A guide, traveling around—I'm mostly just motivated by the paycheck at this point. Just want to go out there and enjoy life. 🙂

👋

Man, I really hope you shake this funk off soon.
Look, regarding journalism—you can jump into that field with pretty much any degree under your belt, though having a specialty definitely gives you an edge.
But law? That’s where the real money is. Even if you don't care about the cash, you're going to walk away with insane self-discipline and a brain that actually works. Honestly, grinding through those bar exam prep materials is like a heavy workout for your memory because the sheer volume of info you have to cram in is ridiculous.
Yeah, it’s brutal, but that’s how you build grit and learn how to actually tackle real-world problems.
The absolute worst thing you can do is just throw in the towel and sweep these struggles under the rug. They aren't going anywhere. You just push them aside, and sooner or later, you're going to come to your senses and regret letting this chance slip right through your fingers.

It feels to me like you’re having a really hard time handling setbacks. Honestly, failing an exam is just part of the college experience for everyone—failing a grade isn't the end of the world. It seems like you're mostly making excuses to yourself for "failing" at school. You mention choosing your major because of the money, but then say you actually want to help people, blah blah blah... as if it’s not your fault that the field doesn't pay well. It sounds like a lot of justifications. Just set all that aside, forget about what everyone else expects from you, and take a real look at your actual skills and where you'd actually thrive. Don't lower your standards just because you're afraid.