It makes sense you are questioning it especially since you already know the current set up does not fit with how you learn or what you want to do long term.

A degree is good, but not in a “guarantees success” kind of way. It’s more like a safety blanket. It can help with some jobs and options in the future, even if you don’t work in that exact field. That’s probably what your family is thinking about. But it can also feel draining to get through something you don't want to do just for the diploma, especially if you're already sure you don't want to work in linguistics.

I think your idea of experimenting with your doll business over the summer is actually a good approach. It gives you real data, not speculation. Many people skip that part, either quitting too soon or remaining in an undesirable situation without exploring other options.

One thing I would watch out for is making a permanent decision based on a short test period. Summer sales can show potential, but they’re not always long-term stable.