--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My parents made me finish high school…" description: "\"My parents made me finish high school before I started acting, and I did, like, two weeks of fine arts college before I was like, 'This sucks. I'm goin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/jessica-pare-13947_acting_my-parents-made-me-finish-high-school-be_261868.png" --- # My parents made me finish high school before I started… ![“My parents made me finish high school before I started acting, and I did, like, two weeks of fine arts college before I was like, 'This sucks. I'm going!' I got a few small jobs, and then I booked a big-for-Canada feature.” quote by Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/jessica-pare-13947_acting_my-parents-made-me-finish-high-school-be_261868.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/jessica-pare-13947_acting_my-parents-made-me-finish-high-school-be_261868.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce2/jessica-pare-13947_acting_my-parents-made-me-finish-high-school-be_261868.png) > “My parents made me finish high school before I started acting, and I did, like, two weeks of fine arts college before I was like, 'This sucks. I'm going!' I got a few small jobs, and then I booked a big-for-Canada feature.” [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She recounts parental pressure to complete education before pursuing acting, then breaking away after brief art school, leading to a major Canadian film role. **In simple terms:** Balancing expectations and passion before taking a leap. Key Takeaway Follow your passion after meeting basic obligations. Themes career choices family expectations risk taking Mood inspirational determined Type career personal narrative When to use this quote - high school graduation - art school - first auditions - film casting Key Concepts personal growth industry entry determination Questions to Reflect On - What risks are you willing to take for your dream? - How do you negotiate family expectations? A Different Perspective Leaving school early can limit foundational skills; success isn’t guaranteed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Arts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arts/) [College](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) [Fine arts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fine-arts/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) ## Related quotes > [When I came into the industry I started with acting and I did drama during junior high and high school. I fell into dancing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-shum-jr/when-i-came-into-the-industry-i-started-with-acting-and-i-did-drama/) [Harry Shum, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-shum-jr/) > [I started acting when I was in high school, started writing when I got to New York in 1975.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bogosian/i-started-acting-when-i-was-in-high-school-started-writing-when-i-got/) [Eric Bogosian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bogosian/) > [When I started acting, I did many films without even an idea of what the script was about. The film would start, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohanlal/when-i-started-acting-i-did-many-films-without-even-an-idea-of-what/) [Mohanlal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohanlal/) > [I started acting when I was 9. I did smaller parts here and there as a kid, and then as I grew older I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-skarsgard/i-started-acting-when-i-was-9-i-did-smaller-parts-here-and-there-as-a/) [Bill Skarsgard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-skarsgard/) > [I don't feel like I properly started acting until I did my first play, 'Tusk, Tusk.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bel-powley/i-don-t-feel-like-i-properly-started-acting-until-i-did-my-first-play/) [Bel Powley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bel-powley/) > [I'm just so glad that I started acting when I did because I had this wealth of life experience. I don't know if I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitriona-balfe/i-m-just-so-glad-that-i-started-acting-when-i-did-because-i-had-this/) [Caitriona Balfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitriona-balfe/) > [Well, my brother started acting before I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-breslin/well-my-brother-started-acting-before-i-did/) [Abigail Breslin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-breslin/) > [I went to Our Lady of Mercy, parochial school and I started Fordham Prep, but that only lasted about a year and then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barry/i-went-to-our-lady-of-mercy-parochial-school-and-i-started-fordham/) [Robert Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barry/) > [The first Parikrma school started in a slum where there were 70,000 people living below the poverty line. Our first school was on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shukla-bose/the-first-parikrma-school-started-in-a-slum-where-there-were-70-000/) [Shukla Bose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shukla-bose/) > [I started performing in high school. There was a pretty great drama department at my school, and that's when I started doing plays and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/missi-pyle/i-started-performing-in-high-school-there-was-a-pretty-great-drama/) [Missi Pyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/missi-pyle/) > [I finished school, because I started when I was thirteen, so basically around 16 or 17, I just focused on finishing high school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhene-aiko/i-finished-school-because-i-started-when-i-was-thirteen-so-basically/) [Jhene Aiko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhene-aiko/) > [As an actress, I never went to film school, and I think if I had gone to film school, I would have started with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/preity-zinta/as-an-actress-i-never-went-to-film-school-and-i-think-if-i-had-gone/) [Preity Zinta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/preity-zinta/) > [I started Stripe with my brother John Collison while we were in school together. We first started off building iPhone apps together and using…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-collison/i-started-stripe-with-my-brother-john-collison-while-we-were-in/) [Patrick Collison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-collison/) > [I had always enjoyed playing characters and dressing up, but it wasn't until I got to school and I started getting on stage for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-gleeson/i-had-always-enjoyed-playing-characters-and-dressing-up-but-it-wasn-t/) [Brian Gleeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-gleeson/) > [I wish school started at like...never.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-wish-school-started-at-like-never/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Jessica Pare > [I think I approach my choices much the way I approach the way I consume movies and TV and stuff. I like everything, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-think-i-approach-my-choices-much-the-way-i-approach-the-way-i/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I think I've always been ambitious. It just looks different on me. You know, I have friends who are actresses who go to every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-think-i-ve-always-been-ambitious-it-just-looks-different-on-me-you/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [Honey is hydrating and antiseptic. It really clears your skin, and its moisturizing. You can use it every day if you want. Its so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/honey-is-hydrating-and-antiseptic-it-really-clears-your-skin-and-its/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [My natural gravitation is toward the gray and the black and the white and the burgundy. Sort of muted, cool colors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/my-natural-gravitation-is-toward-the-gray-and-the-black-and-the-white/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I'm at the age when my friends have started having kids, and when my first good friend had a baby, the first time I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-m-at-the-age-when-my-friends-have-started-having-kids-and-when-my/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I'm not an '80s fan. I'm more '70s New York pre-punk kind of thing and I guess I grew up with '90s grunge, post-punk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-m-not-an-80s-fan-i-m-more-70s-new-york-pre-punk-kind-of-thing-and-i/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [Working on 'Mad Men,' everything is word for word. And, honestly, I couldn't come up with anything better than that, so it's fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/working-on-mad-men-everything-is-word-for-word-and-honestly-i-couldn/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I know that I'm a decent actor, but it's another thing to be in a scene with Jon Hamm and hold your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-know-that-i-m-a-decent-actor-but-it-s-another-thing-to-be-in-a/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [Believe me, when I finish shooting 'Mad Men,' there's a huge chunk of time where I have a really hard time leaving my house…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/believe-me-when-i-finish-shooting-mad-men-there-s-a-huge-chunk-of/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I don't mind auditioning. Sometimes, I think it's necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-don-t-mind-auditioning-sometimes-i-think-it-s-necessary/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I do get scared of the dentist, so a drive-through dentist might make me feel more at home. If I got to stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-do-get-scared-of-the-dentist-so-a-drive-through-dentist-might-make/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I hadn't done any professional singing. I had sung in the shower and in my car and sometimes at a family bonfire if there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-hadn-t-done-any-professional-singing-i-had-sung-in-the-shower-and/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [And, of course, all of my friends and family are so excited because they feel like Montreal is being represented on Mad Men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/and-of-course-all-of-my-friends-and-family-are-so-excited-because/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [The music industry is rolling in cash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/the-music-industry-is-rolling-in-cash/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) > [I love Jon Hamm. I'm so lucky to get to work with him and work so closely with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-pare/i-love-jon-hamm-i-m-so-lucky-to-get-to-work-with-him-and-work-so/) [Jessica Pare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) [Explore all 48 Jessica Pare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-pare/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My parents made me finish high school before I started acting, and I did, like, two weeks of fine arts college before I was like, 'This sucks. I'm going!' 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