Dear Davida,

This past semester here has been pretty OK, but it has made me realize that college isn’t for me. What I really want to do is finish out the semester, and then move away from Wisconsin to get a job in a city somewhere. I went into college without a clear idea of what I wanted to do and no real passion for it. How do I tell my parents? They were really excited for me to go to college and I hate to let them down.

Dropout in Doubt

Dear Dropout,

Before you tell your parents, consider that maybe it isn’t that college isn’t for you, but that Lakeland isn’t for you. Give some thought to finding a school out of state that might suit you better. If you’re 100 percent certain that the college route isn’t your thing, the best course of action would be to sit your parents down and tell them about your decision in person. They might have particular aspirations for you, but, in reality, this is your life, and you shouldn’t suffer through four years of college just to make them happy. Make sure they know that you love them and you’re sorry your plans didn’t align, but that you’ve decided to try something else that you believe will make you happier, and you promise to make them proud. Hopefully they understand, and they will agree to help you explore your options and get started on your new life. If all goes smoothly, next year you’ll be slaving to the grind in a far-off metropolis, and your parents will love you just the same. And never forget that if you change your mind, this corn-fed wasteland will always be right here waiting for you.