Trying to figure out what to do.

I am currently a sophomore this year with the hopes of going to medical school one day. This semester my classes have been all online and as of now, it is looking like that is how it is going to be next semester too. Due to the lack of human interaction and me not having many college friends as I moved away from home, I have been lacking motivation to do online coursework and I am typically a very good student. This semester has been extremely difficult and I am beginning to contemplate if I should truly continue with college. My boyfriend of 3 years is moving back home to begin working full time with a stable income, so I will be all alone in my college town struggling with online classes. I am trying to come up with potential jobs in which I could make a decent income doing something I would enjoy if I did happen to drop out and move home.

I am just looking for some help coming up with ideas to either help me get through school, or ideas of potential professions. I am really just looking for advice on what I should do or think about. Thank you!

I am sorry that you are struggling. What you are describing are two polar opposite ends of the spectrum—aspiration to go to medical school or dropping out of college. There are many possible scenarios in between.

First, if you are the type of student who could reasonably aspire to become a doctor, I think you will be regretful if you drop out of college. It will be very difficult to make a good income AND, importantly, you will not be a college-educated person. You need to change your mindset to think about the current difficulties as TEMPORARY. The pandemic, online learning, lack of connectedness at college do not define you. It’s the current situation, like having a sandwich for dinner instead of steak. It will be different soon, and you can make it different.

Let me ask you: Why do you not have many college friends? Did you make friends last year, as a freshman? Do you live on campus? Where do you go to college?

Personally I am not the type of person that enjoys going to parties and that is what my school is known for. I live off campus this year because the environment was filled with alcohol and marijuana even though they weren’t allowed in the dorms. I just haven’t found “my people” and most of my good friends live in my home town still. I keep trying to stay involved in service events, at my church group, and with academic involvement, but I struggle to find genuine friends that I feel close to.

Could you do remote from home next semester? Better than dropping out but it would allow you to have a social life. Then you could decide what you really want to do going forward. Even party schools have plenty of people that do not party, you could try to stick it out and continue trying to find friends. Do you have roommates? Do you get along with them?

Did your boyfriend go to the same school you go to? Does he live in your hometown? If so, are you sure you’re not just following him because you think it will be “easier” than college? Jobs without a college degree do not typically pay well unless you learn some sort of a trade. What do your parents think of your plans?