Parents are protective by nature but being overprotective means that they: One, Do not trust the world with you, or Two, Do not trust you with the world… If it is the first reason, then you need to show them how that could negatively impact your life later on; talk to them rationally and I am sure they will listen. Tell them that no one lives forever and that as much as you would like them to keep sheltering you, you will one day face the world alone and they will not be there to guide you. Tell them that you want to make mistakes in their presence so they could help you learn where you went wrong. Most parents respond to this logic. If it is the second reason then you need to gain their trust. Why can't they trust you? Is it your overall attitude? Is it something you said? Is it a mistake that you made that they could not forgive? Gain their trust.