How do I tell my parents I'm not happy...

[AAmaz0n]

It sounds like you are considering some fairly significant changes and have been bothered by whatever it is that the voices have been telling you for some time. It is common for undergrads to go through a lot of growing pains as they establish their own identity, and it can be comforting to know that you are not alone in this and that there are folks that can help you.

I am a USC grad, and can tell you first hand that the counseling center does an excellent job of helping students deal with their issues. They are located in the old YWCA building SW across the parking lot from the bookstore. What you discuss with them is totally confidential and private.

I went through some pretty radical changes while at SC, and can identify with having difficulty figuring out who to talk to that can understand and be trusted. In some cases, people that I didn't think would be positive came around to give way more support than I expected and others were somewhat of a disappointment.

The great thing about the counselors is that they are professional about being totally supportive and non-judgemental. You can be sure that they will not make fun of your situation and are there to help you feel better and make positive progress towards what will make you happy.

If you are concerned that your parents might freak out at what you are going to tell them, it wouldn't hurt to bounce it off of someone like a trained councelor that you know won't react negatively. It might help you think through how you are going to present things to your folks.

There are some things that you said that sound very similar to what I went through; it could be that I'm just projecting or just that so many types of personal change sound the same. In any case; feel free to PM me if you want to talk about it or think that I can point you to some resources. I wound up working with some community groups and peer support groups in areas that I was struggling with, so I know some additional places on and off campus to get help here around LA.

Hope that this helps, and remember:

Fight On! [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Shauna