Should I Drop Out?

Have you ever thought about dropping out of college or university?

I know I have.

This thought surfaces when I feel that what I’m learning in school doesn’t interest or benefit me. And in post-secondary education, when you’re paying loads of money to attend school, it’s a pretty huge deal if you find out that you don’t enjoy or take interest in your subjects. Maybe you’re going to school because it was expected of you, or maybe you believe that a college degree is absolutely necessary to succeed in today’s world. Nonetheless, dropping out IS an option, and I’d be lying if I said that I hadn’t considered it when school got rough. 

Admittedly, these thoughts may not always be serious, but what would life be like if I were to quit school and pursue other endeavours? There does seem to be a correlation between famously successful entrepreneurs and dropping out of college. (Examples include Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg, who all quit school before the age of 21 to start building their companies.) However, despite wanting to follow their footsteps, dropping out is a serious decision that should not be taken lightly.

1. Ask yourself if you’re dropping out for the right reasons. Post-secondary education is supposed to be challenging and teach you valuable time management and other learning skills. However, if you’re stressed beyond belief, try to find alternatives to alleviate the workload. Consider dropping a course or extracurricular activity to free up your schedule.

2. Talk to your family about the decision. If they’re not giving you constructive advice, seek guidance from friends, teaching assistants, and professors — anyone you look to for support. 

3. Before you fully commit to quitting, seeking guidance from a school advisor is always a great option. They may help you find an alternative solution to your problem — and if not, it’s also nice to talk to someone supportive. 

4. Is your program not right for you? Ask an advisor about other faculty options, or even transferring schools. It might seem like a waste of time and money you’ve already spent, but you won’t regret picking a program that you’re passionate about. If you must finish your current program, you can consider doing extra years of school after graduating. 

5. Remember that a degree does not guarantee success. 

6. Take a gap year to think about your options. You can choose to work, pursue hobbies, build your portfolio, or even travel and learn more about yourself and what you like. School will always be there if/when you choose to return.

7. Lastly, have faith in yourself and look forward to a positive future. It’s not the end of the world if you do choose to drop out.