Mom,

You know I love you, and I do not wish to make you mad, or sad. And I know you want me to live a happy life. But you need to be logical. Do you know what makes me happy? I can tell you, you know very little about me. You need to consider what I am saying when you try to decide what will lead to a "happy" life for me.

You want to me to go through 4 years of college, studying, toiling, and stressing. I will have ~$20,000 of debt by the end of college, most likely more (they may not give us as much financial aid in the future. You can't predict the future). Because of the debt, I will need to get a high paying job, whether I like or not. I will be in bondage, a slave to paying off that debt. Then what? Then I can start living the simple life I had always wanted to live?

Why go through all of the trouble if I can just do it now? You need to do your research on people living on low income, because I have. I can tell you, a minimum wage job is plenty for a single person, if he is wise about using his money. Also, there are steady jobs out there that you do not get fired from easily. It is likely that I will start on $8-9 per hour even. If you really want me to live a happy life, then check to see if what I say is true, because it is. I have talked to many real people online, who are living this lifestyle now, and I have read many articles. It is sustainable, and possible. See for yourself.

I am not mad at you; I am not doing this because you raised me wrong. You raised me perfectly. Now you just need to follow through, and agree with me on my decision. It is something I have been thinking about for 2 years.

David

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The parents are devastated. Please help.

This is the second year this boy does it. He wasted a year's tuition last year by failing every course.

Make your comments to help the parents.