Dropping out

I’ve reached a point now where I’ve tried and tried but i just keep failing. So, I’ve decided to just drop out of college. I’m on academic probation and failing currently so i couldn’t go back even if i wanted to. I just want some ideas of what i should do. I like games, music, and technology.

I don’t even feel motivated to go class anymore because what’s the point? If i’m going to fail anyways it’s no point. It’s like i lost motivation and need to get it back.

This has been going for a while, yes??
Did you go to your school’s counselor???
Have you talked to you parents?
Take a breather, work a little and then think about what direction you would like to head.

Definitely consider talking to a counselor and your parents or a trusted adult. I can understand why you don’t want to go to class if there is no way to pass.

School will always be there but sounds like you need to try something different. Perhaps find a job and work for a while.

College isn’t for everyone and that’s ok.

First, I would change your mindset from “I failed” to “I discovered I was on the wrong path.” This shift will help you get in the attitude of success for what’s next.

Now I would think about what kind of lifestyle you want. What is important to you? Do you have a certain standard of living in mind? What can you do to meet that? Learning a skill or a trade can be quite lucrative.

It’s great that you like games, music and technology and important to explore if you can make a living at one of these without a college degree. I think it’s equally important to think about making a living that might not involve one of these things. Not everyone works at their passions/interests and they save those for their free time.

Good luck!

I’m going on no sleep, so my apologies; this is going to be disjointed.

There’s about a week left in the semester.

Are there any classes you have a shot at doing well in? Say, a C or better? If so, then why not pour your energies into getting those credits. At some point in the future, you may decide to return to college, and those credits would count.

And when applying for a job, having those credits allow you to check “some college” as opposed to “high school diploma.” It may make a difference.

OK, concern number two: You need to have a conversation with your parents.

Next: you need to find a job. It doesn’t have to be a career, but your parents will be concerned about what’s up next. They’re more likely to be OK with your plans if you show that you plan to be “adulting” and not sitting up all night on X box. You can explore a more permanent path as you work, but I would absolutely start putting together a resume.

You like technology. Would you consider applying now at Apple, at the local phone stores, at anything else remotely connected to technology. How good are you with technology? Could you apply at the small local stores that fix phones? Again, I’m not talking career necessarily, I’m talking January 2019.

When you do talk with your parents, mention plans to start paying a small token “rent” once you have a job. They’ll be more convinced that this is well thought out and that you’re not “failing” at anything, merely reconsidering your path.

Would you consider a tech school? Tech courses at your local community college? Any sort of formal education that could put you on a more appropriate path?

I like @bjkmom 's advice about maybe salvaging a grade if you can.

College may not be for you, but you need to address why you were failing and lost your motivation. Did you put effort into it? Did you attend all classes, read the books, do the work, attend office hours, and so on? I’m not trying to guilt trip you, rather I’m trying to get you to honestly assess what went wrong. You need to work on addressing those issues, because you can’t repeat the same behaviors in the work force.

So figure out how to not repeat what caused you to fail at college. Then consider trade school, the military, or just work for a couple of years. You may find that a dead end job is not for you. Or you may find your niche in trade school. Or you might find a job you love and climb the ladder. College will always be an option. You just might have to start over at a community college, but there are plenty of people who got off to a rocky start and ended up succeeding.

From my own experience, I can tell you that it is possible to do well even if you screw up at college. I was put on academic probation at community college, and it was the wake-up call I needed. It took me six years to get a degree, but I did it. You are young, and you have a lot to look forward to in your future. Think about what you want your future to look like, and how you might be able to get there. Take steps to remedy the things that are holding you back. A good start might be counseling. Good luck.