Where I come from, dropping out of college is the same thing as volunteering for homelessness.
Like many of you, I had it drilled into my skull from a very early age that a university degree was the only hope a person had of succeeding in the world. Without it, the best you could look forward to was ditch-digging, dissolution, and despair. I believed this when I applied to a half-dozen colleges. I believed it when I got into every college I applied to. I believed it all summer before I went off to college. And you can bet your sweet life that I believed it when I dropped out of college for the first time. I may have even believed it when I dropped out of college for the second time.
Truth to tell, some small part of me may still believe it. But the rest of me understands that it’s a hoary myth, a lie we tell young people because we need to believe there is a formula for succeeding in life. There isn’t–because success is not a high-paying job, nor a house, nor a family, nor a car, nor a diploma, nor fame, nor wealth. Success is the rare gift of living the way you want to live. That doesn’t mean living without sacrifice or compromise; it means living without so much sacrifice and compromise that you become incapable of joy. You know, like your parents.
College is not for everyone, as you will soon learn. Many of you are probably already considering quitting. Usually that’s because you’re not used to being challenged. Sometimes, though, it’s because the specific challenges of academic life feel less worthy of your time and energy than other things.
I know you didn’t ask, but my advice is: Go ahead and quit. If you miss it, you’ll go back. If you don’t miss it, you’ll be sparing yourself anywhere from one month to 10 years of miserable self-loathing, poisonous cynicism, and misguided finger-pointing. Your parents will be angry–or the classic “not so much angry as disappointed.” Those of you still being supported by mom and dad may even get cut off.
But listen. Being cut off from parental support is the best thing that can ever happen to you. The thought of it is terrifying enough to keep you in line for the moment, but as these next few months become these next few years, you may begin to feel yourself growing resentful of their attempts to control you. Just remember one thing: You will sound ridiculous complaining about that until you learn how to pay your own way. Money is the number one tool employed by parents in the service of not letting you go (guilt is a neck-and-neck second). Once it stops being a factor, their power to control you becomes only as strong as your desire to be controlled.
My life prior to dropping out of school was sheltered enough that I was actually surprised to discover that there were people my age (18)–and older, and younger–supporting themselves by working at shitty minimum-wage jobs and living close to the bone. A bigger surprise was that there were many more of them than there were people like me. An even bigger surprise: They were happy. They were rightfully proud of their independence and self-determination. Seattle was then and is now a place where it’s possible to be young and poor with a modicum of dignity and a big helping of community. Being poor sucks, but it’s often better than living for your parents. It’s also an experience everyone should have, at least for a while.
College is not for everyone. Neither is dropping out. Many people thrive in academic situations and have happy, healthy, loving relationships with their folks. And then you have the rest of us, for whom self-reliance and real-world durability are more valuable than any Stendhal seminar will ever be. You can always read Stendhal. Dropping out can be the key to earning confidence, gaining respect from your parents, and ultimately, building a life of your own. That doesn’t mean you won’t regret it. It just means you don’t have to.
10 Things You Will Learn When You Drop Out of College:
1) How to pay rent and bills.
2) What happens when you don’t do one or both of those things.
3) How much food costs.
4) What a financial burden on your parents you actually were.
5) How easy it is to take care of yourself.
6) How easy it is to let things slide so much that you can’t take care of yourself.
7) How satisfying it is to rescue yourself from situation #6.
8) Never to put the phone or utility bills of a group house in your name.
9) There’s virtually nothing you can learn in college that you can’t learn on your own.
10) The inverse of #9 is simply not true.
Ha. Right now i’m sitting at my dorm and i’m supposed to be reading something I don’t want to read and write about it…and then get up early and TALK about it. Your flawless argument might just might have been the inevitable push…
that’s oddly enough exactly what i needed to hear. i’m currently sitting in the library of some scuzzy community college. i’m supposed to be in calc class, but i’m wondering how much good that would do me as i would most likely sleep through it anyway.
I already support myself through college. I pay for it myself and I already work that shitty (though not minimum wage) job. And I think, bear with me while I get a little melodramatic here, I think college is killing me. I have an ulcer and I have to take anti-depressants now. I was so happy before college, I was even happy my first year here. Now I’m in my final year, miserable, in massive student loan debt, and still no closer to knowing what I want to do with my life. Is college really worth the time and the debt? I’m not sure… and furthermore, I’m not sure I want to stick around and find out.
i bought a 1-way plane ticket to Maui on the 14th and i still have to drop out, tell my parents, and make it there…at least i got a job and place thanks to a good, good buddy that already made the leap. i honestly believe its all about doing what makes you happy. my school got f…ed up from hurricane Ike so we missed about 4 weeks already. my gf of 2 yrs broke up and moved out, and my other roomy bailed on me to go with his gf all within the last 2 months. so here i am, only moved half my shit out or my apt when i’m supposed to be out 2 days ago, and i cant wait to get the hell outta texas right now… im just glad i already made the choice long ago… i just have to figure out how to tell the rents…
I dropped out of community college (which intentions to go back when I figure out what I’m there for)and moved out of my parents house in NJ to lovely Seattle just a month or two ago. I’m broke, don’t have 458987 posessions anymore, don’t have the luxury of not working and still having shelter, and I have to go grocery shopping all the time. But I don’t have to kiss anyones ass (aside from my boss, but that’s everywhere), and I’m happy as a clam and proving to myself that I’m independent after all. I began to doubt I could ever be after 22 years in the parents’ house. Drop life and go somewhere, and make new life there. Just for the experience. You can more than likely go back if you fuck up that bad on your own.
dude, you have convinced me to leave. I hate college so far. It has only been two weeks, but it really is not for me.
wow. i feel a lot better. ive been in community college for 1 1/2 years and i recently have not been going to class becauase i didnt feel like it was worth it. ive been thinking about trying something new and this story was what i may have needed to actually do what ive been wanting to do!
im currently in my dorm room and and i have a 4 page draft due at 3 45 and its 1:03, i have a page and a sentence od bullshit because i really hate essays and i hate school in general and i really want to live my life and relax and spend time with my family meaning mom dad brother and sister. but i seriously think about how i might go crazy here and grow white hair with this work, even though its suppose to be the easiest year freshmen year. i dont know wat to do
i really dont
ive cried
ive been mad
ive pretended to be happy
ive tried to force myself to do the work
and to tell you the truth im just realllly reallly tired
THAT’S REAL.THANK YOU SO MUCH I DROPPED OUT TODAY AND READING THIS MADE ME FEEL WAY BETTER. FUCK COLLEGE!
I just cried to my mom about wanting to drop out of college. She called my sister and we decided that I shouldn’t attend class today and just wait to see how I feel when my head has cleared up. I’ve already made my decision and im definitely out of school until next semester.
I’m a high school senior. I’m all schooled out. I’m counting the days. All I hear is college this, college that. The more people tell me I need to go to college to make it – the more I want to prove them wrong.
college is the shit, I have never been happier. When I leave for breaks, I usually feel a bit burned out because I push myself hard and then after a few weeks I yearn to go back again to the people and the classes and the sense of community. it’s been the best thing to ever happen to me.
Wow, what a bunch of pathetic whiners.
If you really don’t want a college degree, don’t go I guess, but don’t come complaining to the rest of society that you “can’t make ends meet”,”can’t afford rent”, and “can’t afford to buy a house” with your shitty retail-job salary.
That’s all on you, not on the Mayor, the Governor, the President or anybody else.
The old zen masters would often say that inner peace is ‘happiness.’ I agree. They also add that the phrase ‘inner peace’ in old cantonese translates as: ‘the ability to cry on command while simultaneously giving everyone else in the world the finger.’
True story, word is bond.
When I graduated from high school, I moved out and abstained from college for two years while supporting myself. I am now at the UW, five years later, still self-supporting but earning my bachelors degree. So, I understand the value of not going to college, but I definitely would NOT drop out just because not going to college teaches you life skills. That’s stupid. It’s also stupid to suggest that you can be successful without a college degree. That’s true only for a small number of people, and it’s unfair to suggest that a kid should bank on it.
So the main gist here is that there are not just two options: going to school or not going to school and working. I would say do the BEST of both worlds. Support yourself and go to college at the same time. You’ll be fucking poor as hell, but you’ll be getting smart. Awesomeness.
My father dropped out in elementary school. At 18 he came to the U.S. He is now a very successful man. I am, personally, up the ass with college. If you have your mind set on your goals. Actually plan a future..and actually GO THROUGH with what you have to do to get things done then things might go good for you. Is college a guarantee of happiness or success? NO SIR. Just like nothing in life is guaranteed. Good little post. I made my mind to drop out in October and you can bet your ass I’m going through with it. AND you can bet your ass this man Is not working in damn retail. Good luck fellow drop outs.
thankyou, that sounds exactly like what i tell myself everyday, but to know that someone else has the same idea gives me nothing but relief and peace of mind.
Well Sean Nelson dropped out of college, but he also became an idiot. He doesn’t know how to write, and his argument is based on personal experience. We are talking about his personal experience, not mine, and not yours.
I am surprised that the only people to comment on this article are the people who agreed with him.
I have found university a satisfying and mind opening experience. Now in third year and getting Cs and Bs, I am not quitting even if I failed a few courses.
Don’t let Sean Nelson drag you down. Sure student life sucks sometimes, especially if you’re poor. You’re spending time writing term papers and reading books. Your other friends your age are working nice working class jobs and have money for cars, beer, and nice apartments. You may not have financial independence from your parents, they may tug your leash and dangle carrots in front of you. But education is the key to good jobs, and class mobility. An education allows you to work a better job. A degree is a status symbol that no car or house can replace. Stop moaning about the tough student life, and get back to studying for your exams, and writing essays. A degree can mean the difference between foreman and factory manager, produce manager and store manager, babysitter and teacher, soldier and officer, bartender and restaurant manager.
I’m telling my parents today. Right now I’m like 20 minutes early to class and waiting for everyone, just thinking about how great it would be to be out of here and supporting myself. I’ve been thinking about dropping out for months now, and I think I’m going to stop wasting my money here and begin my life as an independant individual.
what an inspirational essay. I do admit that being on my own, without backup money, is my greatest fear of dropping out, then consequently being abandoned by my parent’s wallet. But independence is something I need to pursue and get over my fears. I’ve been attending for 3 years, and have been contemplating leave since my sophomore year. I’ve only stayed this far because of my free tuition.
Wake up…what do you think it’s like taking care of yourself? Life is work! Work is life. No one ever said it was easy.
Im sitting here in Ireland, doing a college course my parents pressured me into. Ive no intrest in the fucking thing. I think Im going to tell them tomorrow that Im done with it…
This article is really enticing. I’ve dreamt of dropping out of this shit since the first few months went by and I realized I couldn’t both succeed in my major and have a life at the same time. I’d obviously rather be out of school, independent from the support of my parents and living my own life doing my own things freely. I hate the chains. They’re depressing, but I’m going to live with them anyway.
The whole idea of whether to drop out of college or not is of course very complex, but it’s important if you’re considering it to remember that college is an investment — it will take away from your life while you’re there, but it can greatly benefit your life once you finish. Your life might be a lot better right now if you sever chains and drop out of school, but is it better to enjoy these few years more or to wait a few years to enjoy your freedom so that you can do it with a bright and shining degree?
Remember that there is little of value that you could have right now by dropping out that you won’t be able to have after you finish college except for what you give to college (i.e. four years and a ton of money). The question of whether to drop out right now or not should depend on whether or not you will gain from college in the end. Once again, are the returns greater than the investment? Will you be wasting four years of your life and a load of financial stress, or will you sacrifice those four years and that stress for a better future?
As for me, I’m staying in college. The majority of it sucks (the rest is a blast, by the way), but I’m waiting in anticipation for that enhanced freedom and joy that I want to have when I get out of here doing something that I find exciting and getting paid plenty for it too. I just hope that I won’t end up chained to a monotonous life by my degree.
All this should be taken with a grain of salt. I haven’t graduated yet. I’m speaking of a future foreseen and a path-not-taken through wisdom that was mostly passed down.
I’m pretty fucking terrified of dropping out but its either drop out or literally kill myself.
Well I’m 68…and I can’t tell you how many times in my life I’ve been SOOooooo grateful that I DIDN’T drop out of college when things got difficult, or boring. Without that degree, no one would have given me those first opportunities to get a meaningful job…that eventually enabled me to start doing my own thing – AND MAKING A LOT OF MONEY. Now I’m financially comfortable, have an interesting life of paid travel and professional success to look back upon.
The above essay is very short-sighted; what are you kids going to be doing in your 40’s and 50’s? As difficult as it was at the time, staying in school was my single best decision.
I’m curious Chicagoclark, while college is for some people and not for others, how do you know you wouldn’t get a different job if you had dropped out? College was apparently a good choice for you and I’m glad it worked out, but just because you got a great job from it doesn’t mean if you had wanted to do something else without a degree you wouldn’t have found something. Also, it’s best to figure out what you want to do while you’re young and then decide if you want to go back to school. Otherwise you’re in a lot of debt, have changed your major a bunch of times, and still don’t know what you want from life. Plus, I’ve seen plenty of people with masters degrees working as bar tenders because no one is hiring in this economy.
College is not a bad thing, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not the “perfect” solution. A solution that costs at least $40,000 should be carefully considered before jumping straight in. I think it’s irresponsible to tell people they should go to college even if it means going $40,000 in debt. I’m glad I currently chose to stop temporarily until I can pay with cash and not credit.
i dropped out a short while back..
i am so incredibly happy.. in loose state of being it has been the most liberating gift i have given myself yet
i live lightweight off the grid now, enjoying some of the “freer” ends of life.. culturally etc
live free! get lost! lets go out! lets get going!
I’m currently in the last 2 months of a journalism diploma in Ireland and to be honest I’ve fallen really behind on my past 6 assignments.
I’ve made up excuses for not having them on the due date and even pretended that I lost my voice for a week to put off a presentation.
I’ve been skipping my Monday afternoon politics class just to avoid doing a presentation which I haven’t prepared.
I’ve a radio documentary due in on Thursday, and I’m literally terrified of what my lecturer is going to say when he’s finished listening to it (if I ever actually edit it to the desired time that is!).
I have a part-time job in retail and the thought of going full time over the summer to pay for repeating this year nearly makes me sick. I absolutely despise the place and can barely hack the 16 hours I already work there.
I’ve no idea if I’m going to actually drop out/defer/or somehow witness a miracle happen and have all my work finished for the due dates. After reading your article though I feel a lot more self-assured and have a better outlook on what may/may not lie ahead for me if I make this decision. So, thank you.
This is my second time reading this.
The first time was quite a few months ago when a friend of mine showed this to me and then dropped out of school.. I agreed with her decision, but I never thought I would make the decision myself.
Reading this again, It’s definitely what I needed to hear… college is not where I want to be.. and as you said.. if i miss it, i can go back.. I need to experience things for myself.. not have them handed to me on this “silver platter” called college…
I hate college. I’m in my second semester at a private christian college (that could be part of it haha) and I’m drowning. I’m telling my parents tonight that I’m not coming back next fall and this article really helped. So thank you. 🙂
This helped me get the courage to drop out. I’m miserable in college and i have my parents to blame. i wanted a break first before i went off to college. because i have the time to waste because i was an overachiever and graduate high school early. Thanks for helping 🙂
I hated being in college which led me to the decision to drop out. I run 3 successful businesses and I am truly happy. I am not the type of person that can work for other people. I call myself the unsocial butterfly. I have no regrets. The degree I would have obtained would have been in Biological Sciences. I look at my friends who have degrees and I am better off financially than they are. They can barely pay their bills. These friends get loans from me. I have a hustlers mentality and can survive in any environment. The key to my success is surrounding and networking with people that are beneficial to my business. College is important to others, but it was not for me.
i have been trying to decide whether this was the right decision for me and everytime i come up with the same conclusion. i want to leave this place and just GO HOME. i’ve never missed high school more. i wasn’t ready for college life. every day feels a mistake. i want to leave and work in my hometown, and consider college at a time when i feel more ready. but i have NO CLUE how to go about dropping out. who do i even talk to?
i have been trying to decide whether this was the right decision for me and everytime i come up with the same conclusion. i want to leave this place and just GO HOME. i’ve never missed high school more. i wasn’t ready for college life. every day feels a mistake. i want to leave and work in my hometown, and consider college at a time when i feel more ready. but i have NO CLUE how to go about dropping out. who do i even talk to?
You know what… You people who can AFFORD to go to college should be beaten with the F’n silverspoons you have shoved up your asses.
This BS is the reason why Americans are doing so bad in the world. We treat education like a chore, when its should be treated as a privilege, a right, and a duty; There is no excuse for not becoming smarter and that crap about you can learn everything they teach in College on your own is BS. You can’t, because the experiences, the environment, the focus, and the sharing of ideas in College is not only substantially different from the world outside of it, but the outlook having to interact with people as peers, colleagues, as equals not as co-workers, passerbys, and strangers changes everything.
All you whining, self-centered, lazy, goddamn suburbanites should shut the hell up. Seriously. You don’t know how good you have it and all you want to do is throw it all away. F YOU!
Man, I know number 8 far too well… I had an apartment at my college (yes, which I payed for) that I shared with 3 other guys. They were on the tennis team like me, but they were all international students. So when we went looking for apts I had to put everything under my name since I was the only American (policy for this real estate co.). Well, long story short I ended up paying for late rent penalties and work that had to be done on the apt for things I had never done, not to mention paying for 3 months of utilities myself. That’s why I have an apt by myself right now, and not with an roommates. I love it.
But I’m now contemplating dropping out. I have no idea what I want to do and I’m a junior right now. I’ve been floating through different classes trying to find anything, but I’ve been lost since freshman year really. Never had a major, never cared to have one. I’ve taken 2 semesters off to try and figure it out but to no avail. I’m thinking of joining some international volunteer organization to help out impoverished nations. The OP pointed out that many of us feel as though we may need that “piece of paper” to feel like we can succeed, and truthfully, that’s how I feel, but I’ve been depressed ever since college started, and it has nothing to do with my social life. It’s because I have no clue as to what I want to do. I can’t keep spending this CRAZY amount of money every semester. And considering prices continue to rise, it’s just something I can’t afford to float around doing.
To the “you can learn everything a college teaches you outside of college by yourself” statement: Take this for example. This semester in my Abnormal Psych class, I went to all my classes before my 1st exam. I ended up getting a 75. Then I didn’t show up to any of them and only went to my next exam’s day. Guess what? I got an 85. I don’t know if that says more about the teacher or not, but I can certainly learn as much by myself as I can being lectured. Maybe some people can’t, but if you’re interested enough you certainly can and will.
The only thing holding me back is that I am in my second year and already owe $10,000+ in federal loans not to mention the loans my parents also have. If I do drop out I feel as thought the debt would eat me alive.I’m sitting here waiting for the someone to give me an opportunity to somehow make it work. In the meantime I’m preparing to take off at the drop of a hat by becoming a minimalist and requiring tolls for survival- a sleeping bag, backpacking pack, an army knife and as few clothing items as possible but that can get me through any kind of weather/ occasion.My dream is to own my own farm, to write, to be an activist for sustainable agriculture, and to be an artist.
I’ve recently been skipping most of my classes because I have no more motivation for college. I really cant live up to my brothers deanslist grades and really never liked school anyway. I’m gonna dropout and spend time with my family. *save up and get married and maybe start a family of my own* and consider going back to college at a later time. life is too short to be stressing out and making my self miserable over. I’ve lost my grandma after my first semester in school and felt depressed and alone in the dorms *even though i had a roommate* so i move back in with my parents who soon after decided to go through a terrible divorce D: i just wanna be happy.
Some people are really not comprehending what their reading, the author of this article stated and I quote..
“College is not for everyone. Neither is dropping out.” and the author also stated,
“I know you didn’t ask, but my advice is: Go ahead and quit. If you miss it, you’ll go back.”
The statements made are both in support of leaving college as well as staying in college the author is just saying that we are taught that everyone must go to college at a certain time and finish but sometimes life happens and we find ourselves depressed and miserable.
Maybe college is not for you at 17 years old and trying something like obtaining a certification at a technical college would be a wiser decision at the moment. It’s ok to obtain success in a different way, and lets remember success is not based on extreme wealth but on the type of wealth that aids a person in maintaining personal balance between the things that make him/her happy in life.
If you choose to return to college at 20 or even 30 or better yet if you choose to stick it out and finish that’s ok too as long as you find personal happiness and obtain success by your standards and not the standards of persons who proclaim to have wisdom but obviously do not(the language they use in their comments are a redflag has to who legitimately has wisdom and who does not. Profanity and rude comments show a lack of wisdom and maturity.)
Last but not least, your parents aren’t trying to control you they just want what’s best for you and they don’t want to see you suffer because of your choices. Listen to your parents and take what they say seriously and then make your own decision based on wisdom, knowledge, and faith. Remember, you and your parents will not always agree but it doesn’t mean you have to kick them out of your life because of it. Thanks for reading!
Thanks. I have recently realized that college≠my dreams and that academic≠scholar. The point about sacrifice and compromise really struck a chord. Since when has it been ok to say, “sure, I’ll put off my dreams because I’m getting for them?” That just doesn’t make any sense. I pretty much want the opposite of what everyone else does at my school anyway. Mansion? Gag. Picket fence? blanch. Tons of money to be successful? yes sir, right after I sell my soul. Thanks again, sorry for the rant.
ANYONE on the edge of quitting college watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpZtX32sK… or youtube: College Conspiracy NIA.
I’m in my 3rd year of college and have supported myself with minimum wage jobs and endless loans. Loans that I will never, ever be able to pay back. This video highlights it all- Why college is a conspiracy now days and how the government is screwing us academics over. I will not be returning to my university in the fall, I’ll be starting a full time job and someday I will finish my degree when I don’t have to take loans out for it.
ANYONE on the edge of quitting college watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpZtX32sK… or youtube: College Conspiracy NIA.
I’m in my 3rd year of college and have supported myself with minimum wage jobs and endless loans. Loans that I will never, ever be able to pay back. This video highlights it all- Why college is a conspiracy now days and how the government is screwing us academics over. I will not be returning to my university in the fall, I’ll be starting a full time job and someday I will finish my degree when I don’t have to take loans out for it.
<333
THANK YOU! I’m a freshman at a community college its barely been about three weeks and cant remember being so unhappy. I hate it I hate it. Its simply not my place. This made me feel like I’m not a failure for feeling that way. I’m dropping out today.
Some of the most successful people to start with nothing, no inheritance for example, dropped out of college, never went, and a few dropped out of high school. Most people who stick with college or university through to the end really have no ingenuity, imagination, or drive really. They get the degrees so they can earn a living without being smart. 😉 Ironic really, they claim that to get through these schools you have to be smart but the smartest people rarely go.
Drop out! That’s the worst thing I could ever imagine to happen to myself. I have been doing my best to finish my study and be the top on my field(Events Management Courses Sydney) . I have no reason to be part of our school’s lists of dropped out.
I went into my freshman year with 23 credit hours that I earned from AP tests and concurrent enrollment at my current university.
I’ll be classified as a junior by the end of this year (if I decide to stick it out).
I still don’t have a major.
I don’t have any idea what I want to do with my life, and I have so many interests that it’s impossible to imagine doing the same thing every day for the rest of my life.
I understand where the not-so-well-off kids are coming from, being one. I grew up the youngest of three being supported by a single mom who has waited tables for 20 years. We had food stamps, we had housing assistance. My family put so much pressure on me to be the one to “make it,” to go to college and not have to worry about money. I’m beginning to realize, however, that money isn’t an end in itself, it’s just an accessory.
One of the main reasons I’ve considered dropping out of college is, like someone else mentioned, the College Conspiracy. It’s such a blatant racket, designed to make a profit not to produce employable people. I made a 29 on the ACT, had a 3.5 GPA out of high school, and had all sorts of college credit, and I STILL have to take out loans just to afford going to college full-time because I can’t get a scholarship unless I’m taking 12 hours or more.
I quit my last job waiting tables at my aunt’s restaurant, making upwards of $450 a week (working 45+ hrs/wk, though), which is twice as much as I make every TWO weeks working on campus.
I would rather have experience in different fields, gain employable skills (welding, sewing, web design, etc.), and be able to travel as much as I want, than be sitting in a classroom taking notes when I could be experiencing life first-hand.
I think college is for the kids in high school who made 4.0 GPA, were in fifteen social clubs and school organizations, and DO rely on their parents’ wealth to pay their way through college. I can’t afford to go into debt without even having a major; I can’t afford to go into debt period. I come from a family of hard-working women and I intend to carry on the tradition, whether or not I end up with a college degree.
Truth is; I’ve been so scared of dropping out only because I worry about how my parents are going to react. I’ve been going to cosmetology school 9-5 monday through friday for more than a year, (and believe me, it’s not as easy as some people stereotype it to be) and after I transferred schools, I found out that without friends, I fucking hate it. I’m not happy. I just want to have a job again… I have real anxiety, and I haven’t been good about going lately…So I’m pretty frightened about quitting on Monday and then telling my parents. They are going to freak out on me BIG TIME….. But I know this isn’t for me…
I just dropped out of college. I don’t know how to feel right now but thank you for putting those words into my head.
I’m thinking about dropping out of school. I haven’t even finished my first semester yet and I’m already sick of it. I don’t know what to do with my life, but wondering around in a $40,000/year school isn’t a smart idea. I’m just scared I’ll be a disappointment to my family. I’m just tired of pretending I belong here, when I’m miserable.
This article just saved my sad, little life. Thank you. <3
A couple years ago a counselor asked me what my “Absolute worst case scenario” was and I said “Failing out of university and disappointing my parents”. Just the thought of it had my chest tight and very nearly had me in tears. He laughed. I couldn’t understand how this was funny, that situation would be the end of my life!!
I first read this article about a month ago when I was still debating whether I wanted to continue with my university courses or just drop out(My reasons are depression/stress related) and even at that point there was no pulling myself out of the pit of failure.
This was one of the many articles I clung to for reassurance that leaving school did not mean condemning myself to poverty or brand me a failure at adult life as a whole. Just like most upper-middle class children I was pretty much raised to believe that University/College was the next step after High School and that the only people who didn’t go were those who couldn’t and ended up working fast food joints or being greeters at Wal-Mart. There’s very little time between carefree high school and Uni to figure out what you want to do with your life and I was well into my second year before I felt I had a tentative goal. I’m still not really sure what it is I want. Right now though, all I want is to not wake up feeling like a failure for being unable to succeed and wasting my parents’ money.
A couple weeks ago I called my mom and told her I wasn’t coming back after Xmas and that I’d like to come home and get a job (and a therapist). She wasn’t surprised. After talking for a while we agreed that I would come home, get a job, get well and consider my options over the year or so. The next day I cancelled my housing for the new year and cried for most of the day. It was party terror of what I’d done (I’m still occasionally seized by a sort of horror at myself), but mostly relief.
I think I will return to school eventually, to finish the teaching degree I was interested in, but that time is far off right now and I don’t feel the need to make myself miserable and sick to do it.
I guess that’s enough rambling. Just thought I’d share my story.
thank you.
Im just going to start off my saying that Im currently in my freshman year at a major public university. I don’t have any difficulties with schoolwork, and I actually will be on the dean’s list when the semester ends. That being said, I think college is shit for people like me. I feel absolutely chained into the track of monotony that consumes the majority of society and I hate it. The most useful thing I read was an article put out by radical students at Berkley back in the 60s. They were saying the same things i feel about college being too structured to teach purposeless things. I understand that college is the perfect option for some. Take my cousin for example, he is in graduate school for dentistry, something he has wanted to do his whole life.For me though? I do not know how much longer I am going to be able to last here.
Ever since I was little I have been told that in order to be successful I have to go to college. Basically there were two options, go to college, or spend the rest of your life flipping burgers and I must admit that until recently I have believed that without question. But after spending the last, almost 16 years, attending some form of formal education (which includes 2 1/2 years of college I am officially sick of school. I am sick of writing papers on subjects that I have no interest in that probably will only ever be read by the teacher’s assistant. I am sick of paying huge sums of money to go to classes that have no application in my life simply because the school feels that I should. I am sick of spending $300 to buy a textbook that the teacher never requires that you read and I would never choose to read. And most of all I am sick of learning information for the sole purpose of of being able to correctly answer the questions on a test. What I really want right now is to be financially independent and I am becoming increasingly of the opinion that college is not the only way to do that. I think that I might take a break from college to try some other options. The only thing that is holding me back right now is the thought of having to tell my parents, they’re going to flip…
An up and coming author from NYC is currently working on her new book called, “Don’t go back to school”, which talks about being successful without going to college and learning the things you need or want on your own etc. Her name is Kio Stark and she’s a drop out too! Check out the preview of her book at her website: http://www.kiostark.com/
I too, dropped out of college but will be going back next year, now that I know what I want to study and do for the rest of my life. During my freshman year, I felt I learned more out of the classroom than inside one!