When I first began to think about switching careers, I told very few. It was a fragile dream and could so easily be quashed. The first person I told, very deliberately, after some months was my career counselor. She was very supportive and gave me objective help. She also said that I had done exactly the right thing and not shared my career switch idea with those who might not react positively. She said I needed to nurture the dream safely and advised me not to tell anyone I had even remote doubts about until my switch efforts were further along, stronger, and more stable.

lastyearisblank, I hope you will stop talking on this topic to your parent. It just doesn't seem helpful at all to you. Talk instead to trustworthy friends, your boyfriend, a therapist or someone you can depend on to be supportive. Sending many hugs and encouragement to hold onto your dream of grad school.