Should be give up on something we really wanted?

Don't listen to the people that say 'never give up', 'giving up is for the weak' or 'winners never quit and quitters never win'. That's terrible advice. A study carried out by Psychology Today (can't remember which issue) revealed that people who stick to maxims like that are usually less successful in comparison to those that know when to give up or when something is a lost cause - as perseverance in a lost cause can degrade your self-esteem and confidence. Not that I am saying that your aspiration is a lost cause however!!

Now in all honesty, no-one on Yahoo Answers can tell you the correct answer to your problem - only you can find the answer to that as only you know the amount of hard work and dedication you are willing to commit to achieve your goal. Furthermore, only you know the practicalities of achieving your goal, for example: whether it is financially feasible, whether your family is happy with you studying overseas or whether you will meet the entrance criteria at all.

What I can answer honestly for you however, is your final question: 'What would you prefer? Practicality or living on rainbows?'

I recently read a lecture by Seth Godin, in which he commented on 'The Dip' (Google it if you want to know more) - and I think the subject of that particular lecture encapsulates your problem precisely. To summarize it for you here however, Godin comments on how the worlds richest and most successful musicians, actors and entrepreneurs, weren't successful because they didn't quit - but they knew 'when to quit something at the right time'. For example, Richard Branson knew he should quit school to pursue his business ventures, and that was a beneficial decision. Godin also says that there are two kinds of success curves: 'the dip' and 'the cul-de-sac'.

When you're in a 'dip' (i'll illustrate like this: ~u~) you keep processing over small bumps and obstructions until you reach the 'dip' - the hardest point of your journey. Here if you quit you will never see the possible/inevitable conclusion, whereas if you continue working hard, you will work your way up and out of the dip and reach success on the other side.

In a 'cul-de-sac' (illustrated as: ~O) the route you are going down will never lead to success, and you will inevitably keep going round and round trying to reach a successful conclusion, but your efforts are fruitless as their is no road out (except the one you came down) meaning you need to backtrack and rethink your options.

Ultimately, the way to be successful and achieve your aspirations is to try and differentiate between 'the dips' and 'the cul-de-sacs' and be aspirational and optimistic - but balance that with a good dose of rationalism. Most importantly, you need to know *when to continue pursuing your goals and when to quit!* It may sound harsh but it's real and true.

You can find out the answer to your first question about Harvard by taking a good step back and surveying your situation and position and weighing up the pros and cons, then making a rational and well-informed decision. Perhaps take into account the views of your parents, teachers etc.

By the way, don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating the idea that you should continue pursuing your goals or that you should quit. I'm completely impartial. And sorry if this seems like a long essay :S however you're at an age where your going to be making big life changing decisions and for that you need good impartial advice.

Good luck!

Unrealistic goals are necessary to realize the reality as we are still bound exist in forms though we might realized the emptiness of it. Life goes on. Why should we throw away something that is useful to ourselves and others when it is meant for us without having to struggle or effort? Nature of intelligence needs us to be here for a purpose. Nothing belongs to us but nature.

I say you could just quit trying to achieve unrealistic goals, because it might put too much pressure on yourself. sometimes we'll need to give it up because our abilities do not match what we wanted. it is harsh reality/fact, I know, but try not to get discouraged because you can still be a successful person without trying to achieve those goals. just be who you are and you will be fine. perhaps your destiny lies elsewhere, you'll never know. you can still be a successful person without achieving those goals, it depends on your perspective. you can still succeed in life without setting any goals, just be yourself and be who you are. be happily ever after. another path lies ahead, and there are many paths/roads to succeed, not necessarily achieving the unrealistic goals. you can still be happy, no matter what.

Life is a journey, not a destination. Live life how you want to live it, cause you only get one. If you really want to go to Harvard, you'll make it there somehow. Spend every spare minute you have studying, find a tutor, make it happen. I don't think there's any such thing as an unrealistic goal. Look at everything mankind has done throughout history. There's some pretty amazing stuff out there.

Also, I had planned on going to college right out of high school, but after a health issue(nothing terminal or life threatening), I decided I didn't want to spend the next years of my life struggling through school. I want to marry and raise a family. Those are my personal goals. I don't feel like I gave up on school, I just realized how important other things in my life were to me. And though conceiving may be a challenge for me, I will never give up on it.

I'm not saying to give up on what you really want, but I think you should really consider what you actually want. If you have your heart set on Harvard, go for it with everything you've got.

Never give up on something you really wanted. I'm in a somewhat same situation as you and I'm quite unsure of how everything would end up but I know I'm never gonna give in to it and try to overcome the problem by maybe working hard more on my work.
Never lose hope

No,if it's worth fighting for then you keep fighting for it.

no

We are subject under reality and our abilities.

Don't ask for too much. Pride and Greed is the root of all evils.
Luke 14
28 For which of you minding to build a tower, sitting not down before, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to perform it,
29 Lest that after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to perform it, all that behold it, begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to make an end.

Words of a life-changer: DON'T GIVE UP, I FERVENTLY DEMAND YOU TO KEEP AT IT. I COERCE YOU TO CONTINUE ON TO WHAT YOU DREAM OF DOING. SHUT UP. DON'T TALK BACK TO ME IN THAT PESSIMISTIC TONE. I WILL KICK. YOUR. ***.
... AND THEN I'LL APOLOGIZE, AND KINDLY SPEAK MOTIV TO YOU MOTIVATION FOR YOUR CONFLICTING ORDEAL.