Should I drop out of college?

Question

College isn't going nearly as well as I thought it would...in fact I hate it. My grades are mediocre at best (I have a 2.1 GPA). I'm not earning enough money to pay for school and I have to keep taking out loans. I have difficulty getting from campus to back home across state because I don't have a car. Also, my home situation is messed up and my folks can't help me out. As far as school itself is concerned, I am extremely lazy and often have no motivation to do work other than for the fact that it has to be done. I always procrastinate and I can't seem to manage my time efficiently. I haven't made many friends since being at college either, and I don't know why because I am a nice person.

I just feel that I'm wasting my time by continuing to stay in school. Should I drop out and work a blue-collar job instead, not necessarily flipping burgers but like at UPS or something?

Answer 1

Please, please do not drop out. You sound exactly like my son who is a freshman. Find a way to get motivated AND pay for it. I am a teacher's assistant in one of the top schools in the state. I did three years at the U of M and dropped out becaause I thought I couldn't pay for it anymore. Because I don't have that degree, I am making way, way less that I could if I got my teaching degree. This is THE BIGGEST regret of my life. If I could do it all over again I would in a heartbeat. When my last child is 18 I plan on going back and finishing school. You are young -- hard to be motivated. But I beg you to think about your future. The quality of your life will be significantly better with that degree and a good job. You may not know that now -- but someday you will. Keep plugging away. Discover what you want to do with your life and think about that everyday. You CAN do this. There is a ton of money out there in financial aid. Talk to a counselor at your school -- they are always willing to fight for a student who wants to say in school. I truly cannot express to you how important this decision is. It will affect your entire life. Please take it from someone who has been there. If I knew then what I know now, I would not have just lost my house because I couldn't afford it anymore. I'm 45 years old and living in a tiny apartment. Not what I envisioned for myself. Listen to me -- KEEP YOUR BUTT IN SCHOOL NO MATTER HOW YOU DO IT. Good luck.

Answer 2

http://www.bls.gov/ has information on how much money you will make over your lifetime if you decide to drop out vs. finishing your education. I dropped out and went back two years ago (I'm 26 now). I wish I would have never left. I was in a similar situation that you are in now, I really didn't care about school and it showed in my grades. However, my natural intelligence has only gotten me so far in life despite hard work. It's not impossible to get a good job without a degree, it's just very tough to do. I make a very good living working for Jack in the Box as a consultant. However, for years I managed a jack in the box (flipped burgers). The pay wasn't bad, but it's hard work. Besides just the lower pay because of your education, you also have less benefits and fewer options in terms of employers. You will also likely work all holidays (Christmas, new years, etc.) In economic downturn you will have a harder time finding a job as well. It's a decision only you can make and if you really don't want to stay in school there is nothing that any person in this world can tell you to change your mind.

Answer 3

School drop outs were very common among poor families.Now Child labor is almost banned. In Tamil Nadu children were employed in Fire Works Units.Buses used to collect them from their villages early in the morning and drop them back late at night.The reason was that they found it difficult to get a square meal a day so they were sent to work by their own parents.Drop outs were due to this reason.Now Free Noon Meal scheme is working fine and children get free food and free education also. It was a change for the better.Now literacy level has gone up.School drop outs is the talk of the past. Drop outs are common in Y/A too.To-day one member has asked a question on these drop outs.I think it can be forcibly possible also. I do not know when I will become a drop out in Y/A. Many famous personalities in India are School/College Drop outs.

Answer 4

No. It will be harder to go back. I'm doing it now at 45.
Some suggestions. Arrange your schedule so that you take a class that interests you during each term (or semester). This class does not have to be in your major. Do your crap work first, then progress to the most interesting work. You'll find you finish the boring stuff faster. Take breaks in areas where people with interests common to yours hang out. Not only will you make friends, but you may find study groups that make homework much easier. The only way to stop procrastinating is to think of today as tomorrow. Get 'er done then treat yourself.
As far as getting home, look on the greyhound website for deals for students. We got a yearly pass for $149 that let us get home every vacation. Repayment of your loans is done on a sliding scale after graduation and can usually be deferred until you make a decent wage.

College graduates on average earn twice as much as high school graduates. While there are some exceptions, why take the chance that you'll be one?

Answer 5

well it might be the college courses u are taking that might not be interesting u as much as they could be. Maybe take a break (usually they have a date by which u drop out u MIGHT be able to get part of ur money back. i know my college had that) and when stuff gets a little less hectic in life and u actually realise a major u want to deal with then maybe u can go back to school. when ur ready. i know i went to college i did my first year i was suppose to go back for a second but by the time i was suppose to go back i hated the career i was in and even though people told me to hang it through and finish i didn't see a point if it was bringing me no where in my life. if you are getting to benifit from when u are being tough then ya drop out. if u live with ur parents talk to them. tell them why you are doing this because yes it is ur decision but they should be able to accept it as a decision u have to live with and they should support u if u give them a good justified answer and this could be good to eleviate (sp?) some of the stress. if u payed for it all urself u can do what u want it was ur money. if ur course is near the end and u will be finished for winter break soon (till after christmas) finish this semester because then u can get a transcript for the classes u have done and if u pass then u might not have to actually take them again if u take a course in the future that requires one or more of the courses.

Just think it through to the best of your ability. if u cant see this helping u in the future then just stop because college is not cheap and its just going to get more expensive if u hold to it and never use the information u were tough. i may just find something later one when ur older.

hope i helped a bit at least

Answer 6

You have already talked yourself into quitting as per all your excuses. If you quit, realize that the money you have already borrowed will be due and a waste since you gained nothing from it. If your home life is making it difficult to suceed, maybe try getting a room mate and live nearer to school.

All problems have a solution, you sound like you need to get away from your problems so you can see possibilites clearer. Lack of a degree will hurt your income for the rest of your life, so regardless if your GPA is 2.1 or 4, once you begin working it will not matter. Currently work experience means little, and a college degree is all that matters regardless of the abilities.

If you stick it out you will be able to pay back the loans provided you remain focused on it. Also, if you can somehow motivate yourself, try obtaining an independant status and apply for federal loans and grants.

Answer 7

It sounds like you are still passing. Do your parents still count you as a dependent? If they don't you could probably get grants instead of loans. Is this your first or second year? It's really hard. Lots of kids have trouble, but then figure things out. Try to join some clubs or get a job on campus. In the long run you'll make a lot more money with a degree. Are you studying something you are interested in? Maybe you could change your major so that you don't have to take things you don't like. Also, check with your school. There might be free classes on organizing your time.

Answer 8

No. Don't drop out. I was in the same situation as you, 20 years ago, and I did drop out for a pretty good blue collar job. All these years later, that job isn't so good anymore, and I really regret not staying in school. I've attempted to go back a few times over the years, but my best shot would have been to tough it out in the beginning. Find a way to make it work.

Answer 9

It seems that you have a lot of situational factors in your life that are making it difficult to stay focused and motivated. Perhaps you can step away from all the complications you named and focus on yourself alone. Do you feel you have the potential to succeed in school? Are there any subjects you are passionate about, or have not gotten a chance to learn about yet? Is there a career you want to pursue that requires a college degree? Focus on yourself because your education and what you put into it is for your benefit. If you do decide to stay in college, are you sure you are at the one you think can be the most fulfilling? If there one that is maybe closer to your house? Or a state school that has reasonable tuition fees?

I hope you find the route the works best for you!

Answer 10

Well you should consider your options seeing how you already took out loans and you ultimately would have to pay those back, I'd personally stay in school and complete my degree. I'm lazy too but i make sure I show up to each and every class because degrees are necessary these days in the real world. sure the pay at ups would be nice right now for the moment but what about your future that's what truly matters the most. If you drop out now you'll regret it, so stick with it, and get through the tough times that you're going through now because once you obtain your degree it will all be worth it. Don't put yourself down so much either. I assure you that every college student procrastinates at some time or another [myself included.] Don't drop out, you'll have to pay back the loans eventually it would make sense to pay off the loans once you've obtained a degree.

Answer 11

I was in a similar situation, so I went overseas to teach English for a couple years. The pay is crap, you make more flipping burgers part-time at home and the job is exhausting and demoralizing. You won't be able to finance your education this way, but it's a worthwhile experience and you may just find yourself and your motivation to return to college. College isn't for everyone and once more than that, college directly after high school really is not for everyone. I don't know how anyone does it!