Dear Darcy: I don’t want to go to my parents’ alma mater. Please help!

Dear Darcy –

My parents met and fell in love while attending the same Texas college.

They are still very connected to their alma mater and have put a lot of pressure on me to attend the same university, but I don’t want to.

I have dreams of attending a different school and believe I have the grades to get in.

It’s my senior year of high school and it will soon be time to start applying.

How can I let me parents know without disappointing them that I don’t want to follow in their footsteps?

- Nervous senior

Dear Nervous Senior,

What a great story your parents share!

It may seem as though your parents want you to go to their alma mater, but chances are, when they hear your heart, they will want you to write your own story.

Give them the benefit of the doubt. Parents get really excited for their children to experience the same things they once did.

By honest, share your desires and dreams with them, and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Meanwhile, keep up those grades! And good luck in the application process.