Hello! So I am seriously considering dropping out of college. I have only successfully carried 15 credits one semester. every other semester I have dropped at least one or two classes. I have been, since fall 2012, to two colleges and one community college and through all the classes I’ve taken I have no interest in any of it. I can never focus on the work until the very last minute, and even when I force myself to its usually a half fast effort. (Correct me if Im wrong) But I don’t consider it laziness I just have absolutely no interest in any of the work. I do not think I am in the wrong major because literally every major I have searched for just seems so boring and I have no drive or ambition or interest in anything besides video games (playing not creating) and reality TV. I would have dropped out by now but I have no other plan. I don’t want to be a complete failure in life but I am wasting a lot of my parents money and a lot of time for something I am probably not smart enough to obtain. I am currently in my fourth year of school and I barely have a sophomore status because of all the classes I’ve dropped. I don’t even think an interviewer would take me seriously with over 11 Ws, and in the next two years Ill probably have at least 15 at this rate. Should I try to stick college out or should I just pull the plug?
Maybe you would do better at a trade school, where you learn specifically about one career/trade and how to perform the skills required. It sounds like college clearly isn’t for you. If you aren’t going to do the work then you aren’t going to do the work and you have to find something that suits you better.
- Are you depressed? The lack of interest in anything may be a clue.
- Have you talked to anyone at the Counseling center at your school? (see 1)
- have you talked to the career center …they may have some kind of “test” to help you figure out what you are interested in studying
- Have you talked to your parents about this…that maybe you need to get a job for a bit and figure out what you want to study
- Have thought about going to school part time and working part time? If you only can get through 2 courses a semester, then only take 2 courses a semester.
How about hitting the lecture circuit where you get paid to go around to colleges and give talks to new students on the evils of excessive video game play?
When they point out that you ended up with a plush gig, you could just tell them that you already have all the bookings soaked up.
If you drop out, then what? A job? Will that bore you?
At some point you need to look hard at yourself and be honest. Do I hate school? Or am I going to put a half arsed effort into anything other than games and tv? If it is the latter, you need to kick yourself in the pants and figure out what to do. As @JustOneDad Points out, the video game option is limited…
Whew! to be brutally honest that’s a serious number. But you know, if you’d be interested to reconsider or exert more effort on your education you might want to look into studying in universities outside the country. Try it. research on international studies/ education (it’s a big thing nowadays) You might be able to look at college on a different perspective with that in mind.
I’m curious, is it a common thing for there to be no limit on withdrawals? In Texas we are allowed 6 drops in our entire academic career, and changing schools does not reset it…
Wow, sounds like you might want to stop spending your parents money on school and do some soul searching and maybe counseling about what you do want to do with your life. You will need food, clothes, a place to live, and money to support your video game and TV habits. Quitting school only fixes a small part of the issues that you seem to be having.
It seems you are lost and unmotivated. You should drop out of school, consider possible trade schools in the interim (or just work) and revisit returning at a later date. I do think you will have a change of heart and a newfound motivation if you remove yourself for a year or two. Maybe during the interim you will find a career focus.
College is not the right path for everyone. And college right after high school is not the right path even for those who do eventually earn a degree.
But you do have to give some thought to what you want to do with your life. It doesn’t have to involve a profession-- lots and lots of people live perfectly contented lives with a job, not a career, as long as they come home to doing something they love. Family, hobbies pets-- there’s got to be something to come home to at the end of the day.
Why not talk to your parents this weekend? Tell them what you’ve been thinking. Quit school, for now at least. Spend this weekend writing up your resume, and figuring out what kind of job you think you could happily do. It’s got to be full time, and it’s got to include benefits. Maybe speak to the career counseling center at school today about putting together that resume and cover letter.
College is a very expensive place to “find yourself.” I think you should go home, get a job, and start to figure out what you want to do. And if it means college down the road, great. But if it means a full time job at Macys, then coming home to enjoy rock climbing or volunteering or whatever, that’s great too.
Good luck! Talking to mom and dad will be the hardest part. But, to be honest, if they’re aware of your grades, they’re probably waiting for you to realize that you may have chosen the wrong path.
Join the military and fly drones.
I may be a little depressed. I have never had much luck in therapy so I just kind of gave up on it. But I have not talked to my parents about any it yet because they really want me to get a degree, but I think I will talk to them this weekend about maybe working full time for a year or so instead. College has been a huge source of negativity and loneliness for me so why keep having them spend thousands on a degree I don’t really want? Thanks everybody for the responses!
@OhSorryYo Only 6?! Jesus. I know in PA at least there has been no limit on my withdrawals.
I bet you a dollar that what your parents really want is for you to live a happy life. Like so many of us, they probably see the degree as part of that picture because it typically increases the odds that you’ll make good money. But we see that degree as a means to an end, not as an end on its own.
Speak to them this weekend. They want you to be happy, and right now college isn’t making you happy.
Let us know how it goes, OK?
I hope so! Thank you so much I will let you know
@NotSoGreatttt So… did you have the conversation?
I think the military would be a great option for someone who hasn’t sorted out their life and doesn’t want to work a crummy waitress/fast-food job.
They’ll provide you structure, housing, etc. and you can figure out what to do with your life.
It could be depression. I started school last fall after a 23 year absence. Got through my first semester okay. Started off Spring 2015 then my depression came back with a vengeance. I started to procrastinate and couldn’t sleep. Lost interest in everything. I had to make a snap decision. I took a medical withdrawal. I went to my doctor right away. Also started counseling. I’m on new meds and feel better than I have in a long time. I’m a bit scared about the upcoming winter but I think I have the strength to cope with it. Seek professional help if you can. Maybe college isn’t for you. Everyone has a different path in life. Perhaps take a career assessment test. I’m majoring in healthcare but I’m torn about a library degree.
You have to do what’s best for you. There’s something in life for all of us. I have been trying to figure it out for a long time.