Consider These Things Before Dropping Out Of College
Understandably, times will come when you feel like quitting college. Times when it feels like you've got so much going on and you just can't cope with school demands anymore.
Know that you're not alone. Some people have dropped out of college and succeeded in life, while others failed. Remember that everyone has a different path.
Quitting college may turn out to be the best decision you ever made; at the same time, it could be the worst. That's why it's a choice you should never make in a hurry.
Before discussing important things to consider when considering quitting college, let's check out some facts.
Stats about quitting college
● According to College Atlas, about 70% of Americans gain admission into a four-year college, but less than two-thirds graduate.
● Full-time students are 55% less likely to drop out of college than part-time students.
● College dropouts earn about 35% less than college graduates.
● College grads are 2x more likely to get employed than those without a degree.
● A male degree holder makes approximately $900,000 more in gross median lifetime earning than a male high school grad.
● A female with a college degree makes $630,000 more in gross median lifetime earning than a female high school grad.
● A college degree has a higher return on investment for a graduate in the United States than any other nation.
Despite these stats, you probably know of many celebrities who dropped out but whose lives impacted society.
But again, everyone has different paths; hence, let's discuss some things to evaluate when considering dropping out of college.
What to consider before quitting college
Plans for your life after college
Do you have a solid plan for life after school?
If you plan to design a useful app or start a business, dropping out MAY be a good idea. Think about Mark Zuckerberg. Or maybe your passions are in music and entertainment. In such scenarios, college may even distract you from your passion.
But if you have no solid plan or viable means to earn a living without a degree, dropping out of college may be the worst life decision you ever made. Lost time can't be retrieved, and you may end up regretting it later.
The reason why you want to drop out
Take time to carefully consider the reason why dropping out keeps crossing your mind.
It could be because:
● Your parent/guardian/sponsor can no longer foot your tuition
● You're unable to cope with your major's demands
● You have so much going on in your life, and plan to focus
● You've realized college just isn't your thing.
People dropout of college for several reasons. But the truth is, you can work your way around some of these issues. If it's your inability to meet your financial needs, consider applying for scholarships or grants.
If you realize your major isn't fueling your passion as you expected, it's too stressful, or you've decided to follow a new career path, you can change it.
Yes, you absolutely can change your major while in college. It's helpful to speak with a counsellor or admission expert when considering changing majors in college. By switching to another major, you may find that your interests and academic drive are fuelled once more.
So if your reason for considering quitting college is about stress or diminished passion for your major, consider a change.
Lower your workload
If you have so much going on in your life, you may not have to quit college. Typically, humans' first instinct is to quit when something gets too tough.
But you can cut your college workload by becoming a part-time student. You'll then have more time to spare on your job, career or some other passion you're chasing.
Becoming a part-time student can help you make a future for yourself even while in college. You can start an internship, record songs, freelance, or design that incredible app during your free time.
Becoming a part-time student is an excellent way to save costs, make more money, and get your life back while in college.
Consider pausing your enrolment
Another thing to try rather than quit college is to put your enrolment on hold.
By pausing your enrolment, you allow yourself to work or execute whatever you need to do and return to pick up where you left off.
You could take a few years off to work and save some money to complete your tuition rather than dropping out altogether.
Indeed, it wouldn't make much sense to struggle through school when you know you can and should be doing something else -- probably something more productive. So take action when you feel stuck, but it doesn't necessarily be to quit.
Join a community
If it feels like you're losing your mind in college, you can regain focus by joining a club and participating in extra-curricular activities that are more enjoyable.
Engaging yourself with such activities can help rebuild your mental wellness, which you need to figure out where to go from there. You get to meet people with common interests, participate in fun activities, and build connections. There may even be professionals and university alumni coming to give inspiring words. Who knows, you may even regain your passion for college.
Talk to someone
Many people believe no one would understand or feel their pain as much as they do, so they try to figure things out themselves.
Notably, talking about your problem helps to ease pent-up emotions, and you'll feel better after sharing your burden with someone. You may end up not dropping out after discussing it with a friend. It's the same way you laugh when talking about something that recently made you cry or frightened. Talking diminishes negative feelings.
Better still, if you feel your friends can't offer much help, talk to an educational consultant or counselor. They can offer expert guidance on financial aids, college planning, and unique solutions to your unique educational challenges.
Bottom line
Indeed, college isn't for everyone, and you can make it in life without a Bachelor’s degree. But the stakes are high.
It's therefore advisable to carefully consider your situation so that you don't make a hasty decision that you end up regretting later.