Y'know what my aunt and uncle told me when I said I was going to grad school? "Why don't you stop putting money into the system and get out and start making money for yourself."

No congrats. No nothing. Sheer pity at me for being so stupid as to continue with school. I tried to explain that I am not putting any money in anything. Actually they waive my tuition and pay me salary on top of that. But that didn't matter to them. Anyone who went past a bachelors or even high school (that wasn't becoming a medical doctor or lawyer) was just dumb to them.

I just decided to say screw them. I'm a first generation college student and a lot of my family thinks that going to college makes you hoity toity and on a different level. Like I'm forgetting my roots or something. So you have to just be confident in what you want.

In addition....I'm in school for Entomology. No one in my family understands how I could love working with insects. But, to me, it's fun and interesting. My family doesn't really understand it. My immediate family makes sure to tell me that they're proud but I can't really talk to them about it. In fact.....they were kind of weary about me continuing....but now my brother says he wants to go back to school and my sister wants to complete her bachelors! They told me that they thought it was impossible but seeing me succeed has inspired them to go back to school!

So you never know. They could watch your growth and success and be inspired themselves! Also, it will mean so much more to you when you finish and you can say to yourself 'I did this all by myself'. I watch these kids whos parents pay for their school and basically hand them an education....they don't appreciate it. While I might be 80,000 in debt....but I can truly say "I did this myself" and it feels so good!

Whatever happens, stay true to yourself. You can do it and you can do it well! You have everyone here to support you and hopefully your brother can stick up for you too. Do what you have to do to be happy!