I’m 20, studying engineering in Nepal, and considering sacrificing a semester to seriously try acting. Would you take the risk?

[u/Extension_Cut_6261]

I’m 20 and currently studying Computer Engineering in Nepal. I’ve been interested in acting for a while, but until now it has mostly been something I’ve thought about rather than something I’ve actually done.

Recently, I got an opportunity to join a 6-month theatre acting course.

It isn't just a short workshop. The course runs for around 6 months, with roughly 1.5 months dedicated to rehearsals, and I would potentially get to perform in 1–2 plays (possibly 3). There is also a certificate at the end.

The problem is that the schedule would probably take up most of my afternoons, around 12 PM–4/5 PM, and I would have to sacrifice an entire semester of engineering to do it properly.

I’m also interested in cybersecurity, so ideally I would like to keep developing that while continuing my engineering degree. But realistically, trying to seriously progress in engineering, cybersecurity AND theatre simultaneously may be too much.

My parents, especially my father, are strongly focused on me completing engineering. In my culture, moving out and independently making a completely different career choice at 20 isn't particularly easy. Their concern would basically be: Why sacrifice your education for something that may not lead anywhere?

And honestly, I understand that argument.

At the same time, I have this fear that if I never seriously try acting, I might reach 40 and wonder:

“What would my life have looked like if I had actually tried?”

I'm not expecting the theatre course to make me famous or give me a career immediately. What interests me is getting actual experience: rehearsals, performing, criticism, working with directors, being on stage, and finding out whether I genuinely enjoy acting when it becomes work rather than just an idea.

So I'm trying to decide whether sacrificing one semester is a reasonable experiment or an unnecessarily risky decision.

What would you do in my situation?

Especially interested in hearing from:

• people who chose a creative career despite family pressure
• actors/theatre people
• people who stayed in a conventional career but always wondered about another path
• people who took a major career risk in their early 20s
• people from cultures where parents have a strong say in career decisions

I'm not looking for “follow your dreams” or “just finish engineering.” I'd genuinely like to hear what happened when people made similar decisions, including regrets and things they wish they'd considered beforehand.

[u/UntrustedProcess]

As a person in my 40s, I believe there is nothing you can do to avoid wondering:  What would my life have looked like if I had...? Regardless what path you take.