Students leave a college or university for a number of reasons — academic, financial, or personal. Is this decision right for you? Here are some ideas to help you decide
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Is it time to call it quits and leave college?
Keep in mind that this is not a decision to be made without careful thought. Whether you are planning to transfer to another school, postpone your education for a few years, or drop out of college altogether to pursue another path, this is a major life decision. College is a major investment in terms of both money and time, and the decision to leave a school can cause you to lose both.
However, if you’re miserable where you’re at and strongly feel that it’s time for a change, this just might be the right decision for you. Here are some things to consider before you drop out or transfer from your current educational institution.
1. Academic Reasons for Dropping Out
One reason that students choose to drop out or change schools is that their academic performance is poor. They feel they would do better at another school — or perhaps feel that they’re just not ready for college-level work. And some students simply are not ready for college.
Before you make this decision, check out all your options on campus for academic assistance. Schools want students to be challenged, but they also want you to succeed. Talk to an academic advisor about what resources are available on campus to help you — and if that advisor doesn’t seem very helpful, find a different advisor. Spend time at the campus writing center, tutoring center, college library, or any other office that’s in place to help students.
But what if you’re on academic probation and might flunk out? If this is the case, find out what resources are in place on campus to help students improve their grade point averages and get on track. Schools don’t put students out on the street after one bad semester, and you’ll have a period of time in which you need to show a specified amount of progress. Colleges and universities do not want students to flunk out and will help you out. Work closely with an academic advisor, and take advantage of whatever academic resources are on campus.
Even if grades are not an issue, sometimes students choose to leave because a school is a poor academic fit. Perhaps the student’s choice of major is not offered, or perhaps the academic environment on campus is too competitive or not competitive enough. If this is the case, transferring might be a good option — but do your homework first. Talk to professors, academic advisors, and others on campus to see if the school may be able to meet your needs better than you thought. You might want to stick around for a few semesters to see if things improve. And if you plan to transfer, spend time investigating other schools carefully to ensure that the new school is actually a better fit.
2. Financial Reasons for Dropping Out
With the rising cost of college tuition, some students just can’t raise enough money to stay in school. Dropping out to work for a while maybe the best option. Some students drop out for a few years for the purpose of being able to file a FAFSA independently of their parents, which can lead to a much better financial aid package.
In some cases, students drop out of a more expensive school and transfer to a more affordable one. Even if it’s possible for a student to pay for tuition, sometimes the sacrifices required — excessive student loans, long hours at a part-time job, parental sacrifices — just don’t seem worth it.
However, before you drop out because of financial reasons, investigate all of your options carefully. Schools do not want to lose students for financial reasons and may be able to help you find the money you didn’t know was available. Make an appointment with a financial aid officer and let him or her know your situation. In addition, spend some time searching for college scholarships. This isn’t guaranteed money, but if you can get it, it’s money you don’t have to pay back.
3. Personal Reasons for Dropping Out
Sometimes, life situations and stress get in the way of your education. Perhaps you have children and balancing school with family is too difficult. Perhaps you have an illness or disability. Perhaps you’re in a long-distance romantic relationship with someone miles away. Or perhaps you’re homesick or simply feel that you’ve chosen a school that’s a poor fit.
There are plenty of good reasons to leave school, and for some people, it’s the right decision. However, keep in mind that coming back to school in the future maybe even more difficult than it is now. Think over your situation carefully, and don’t hesitate to speak with a mental health counselor on campus to help you make this decision. If you’re homesick, a few semesters at school may be all you need to feel better. In addition, investigate campus options carefully. If you’re a nontraditional student or have a disability, find out what services are available for students in your situation.
Weighing Your Options
For many students, leaving is the right option. However, it might not be the right one for you, so spend time soul searching and investigating all your options before you make a decision. Here’s some more reading material to you to consider before dropping out of college:
