Hey guys, I was wondering if I should drop out of college? Let me explain before you guys answer. I went to this community college starting in 2012 and have failed a couple of times, got academically suspended, and then did better after I started taking less classes which I ended up having more time to socialize and stuff. Well during that time I started doing better, I ended up making friends at the college but as soon as they graduated, I started questioning things in my life. Well each year the same thing happened except when I tried to initiate conversations with these people, they acted like I was not even there. In fact the only friends I could make were people that were older than me which is fine but I would prefer if they were my age. Well this was not the only event happening while I was going to college. My mother would cause arguments which she would keep constantly complaining about stuff that she has problems with and also start pushing her crap on me which was like her way or else. This would usually stress me out to where I could never finish what I need to do for my classes and also cause me problems focusing in class. She also pushes too many chores and other errands which causes me to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. There were some days where I just did not want to come home so I could finish what I needed to do for school. I also feel that going to college pushed on to me by them and being aware of this now, I honestly would rather work for awhile so I can get a car (Which I do not have because I have no money and also causes me problems to getting to school and home. I also am exhausted because most of the time I have to ride a bike which is 2 hours back and forth.) and also move out. I also wanted to mention that I am working two jobs on campus that I enjoy but most of the time I rather be doing this instead of going to class as I feel like I'm not accomplishing anything while I am in class and am also tired of all the high school cliques that go on in class or drama outside. I debated if I should just quit now and go to trade school or finish this semester then take a break. My boss mentioned a Welding Academy to me that I really liked the idea of and thought this could get me where I need to be. I have 5 classes left after this semester but I don't think I can last that long because I feel like I might go insane if I stay there any longer. I also had a degree plan that my Counselor pushed on me which I thought I liked but am now starting to dislike it. I talked to him numerous times about changing it but he will absolutely not change it or let me talk to someone else. I honestly do not like the idea of going to a university right now which I would rather go to in my 30's and avoid being stuck with enormous student loan debt that I cannot pay back if I do not get a job. I really do not know what to do or what I want to do as a career. I only know what I want. Please help!!

The only thing I worry about is it's harder to go back to school after taking a break. A lot of people I know who have taken breaks (Myself included) have a harder time getting back into the swing of school. I took a break between High school and College, and then a second one during college. The second break I took was a dramatic one (if you'd like me to tell the story, I will, but I don't want to make this about me). Even then I look back and I regret taking a year off, because I'm facing academic probation, and if I don't raise my GPA by the end of the fall term I'll be kicked out of school. Because I'm taking two classes now, and possibly three over the summer I should be able to raise it easily.

BUT Everyone is different, My sister's boyfriend bounced back from a year break with grace and ease. He also took what was considered one of the worse breaks to take: Between College and Grade school. He did it with little stumble in his step.

So I guess it all really depends on you. Do you think you can bounce back from a break? And is college really something you want to do? College isn't for everyone, and that's fine. Also academic counselors suck as far as I'm concerned. One nearly cost my friend her degree program, because they said she needed five classes to transfer that she didn't need. The the AC at her Uni said she could, and should, take eight+ classes a semester- which wasn't physically possible.

I think I could bounce back but I think it would have to be at a different college than the one I am at. However I also know that college isn't what I really want to do right now. I would rather work for awhile so I can figure out what I really want to do and then go back when I am ready. I think going to college right now was a bad choice as I feel like I am not ready for all this and that it was pushed on me way too soon without exploring other options. It was mainly pushed on to me by my mother who doesn't listen to reason and acts like I need it when I really did not want to do it. Also I started this semester, and for the past couple of days its been really hard for me to wake up and have the energy to focus in class. I also will not talk to anybody in class except my two friends who are right next to me and just get turned off by anyone who I think is a part of a clique. To be honest with you, I do not like having to spend time in the lecture halls because I never have enough Me time or the energy to do the exciting things I been thinking about because the time is being spent learning how to do well on a test and my mother constantly nagging at me to do stuff that causes me to struggle with my class work. I never have a break and being at that school makes me feel frustrated because I feel like I am not accomplishing anything with my life. I know that sounds silly but I really know that I am not happy. I also have been told that I would be a good counselor or professor but I have no interest in that. I really feel powerless like I have no control of my life. I am thinking about going to a trade school which I really like the sound of and dropping this semester so I can get away from everyone for awhile. Do you think I should go ahead with it?

It sounds like dropping out might be best for you. Honestly you know you best. And, at least from where I am sitting, it sounds like you know college, whether it be right now or ever, isn't for you, and that's okay.

If you drop out, you might not have a job. You pretty much need a diploma/degree for everything, unless you want to work at McDonald's or a warehouse, even retail. Stay in school and get educated and get a job with your diploma you obtain. You can always go back to school at a later date.

Sorry if this sounds harsh. I'm old and I just see reality and the way the world works.

I have a college diploma that's pretty much good for nothing. I want to go back, but need to pay my debts.

I was severely depressed throughout pretty much of all college (and to be honest I still am) but getting my degree allowed me to move abroad and work in Japan, which had been a dream of mine since I was in middle school. It wouldn't have been possible if I had followed my gut and dropped out. However, I had also received a very generous scholarship to attend my university, which put a lot of pressure on me as well. If I hadn't gotten it, I would have taken a break, but my mom convinced me to go when I first received the offer.

As for getting a job... Even with the degree, I was rejected for about 12 jobs (in my defense, it was in a town that is like, 30% recent college grads, so jobs in my field are limited) before I managed to find part-time work for the 6 months I was still in the USA after graduation.

Everyone I know who has dropped out of community college never went back to finish, unless they happened to drop out to join the military.

Ultimately, you know what is best for you, but I don't think suddenly dropping everything is the way to go.

Tbh, I just dropped out of school (private university) last year and it's been the best decision I could've made. I plan to go back eventually, to a different school, but honestly, it's not even on the table right now. I need to pay off my debts from this round first. And I also need to actually experience life. I think the main reason I hated college so much is because it was my life; I didn't even know what else was out there!

Anyway, after dropping out, my mental health has improved so much. I have a well paying job with benefits, paid vacations/sick days, the works, so no, you don't need a degree to get a good job. You can do just as well, if not even better with no degree or by going to a technical school like the welding academy you're thinking about. Hands on skills like that are just as necessary in the world as ones that require a degree!

Like others have said though, you know whats best. If your heart and head are telling you to do something, you should. You shouldn't force yourself to stay in college if it's not right for you at the moment/ever.

I wouldn't recommend it honestly. I dropped out of community college in my early 20s to work a dead end job. I'm now in my early 30s and back in the same school just trying to finish my Associate's while being a single mom. It sucks, it's difficult, and it's degrading working on my degree at this age. If I were you I would take off a couple of semesters, but not drop out, and then go back and finish your degree. Or take online classes. If I could tell my younger self that, I would. It's hard starting over at this age. Good luck regardless of what you decide to do. 😘

This is absolutely not universally true, and is probably dependent on geography and field/industry. I am in my early 30's and dropped out of high school, college and University -never finished any schooling past middle school. I lived in Toronto, a bustling metropolis, and was making 6 figures as a business strategist for a very prestigious company. I had friends who pursued academia, and they were earning a third of what I made, and sadly did not enjoy the same benefits. But I had hustle and street smarts - and often that is what companies want to hire.

Now, compare that to some European and Asian countries ( I currently live in Asia), and I'd say that while you do not NEED a diploma, your chances of finding a good job are vastly improved by having one. Despite having a strong resume, I had a hard time breaking into corporate work here, because many governments require you to have higher education in order to qualify for work permits. I ended up becoming a Freelancer because it was so hard to find a permanent gig.

It all depends on what you want to do. If you're interested in a trade, experience trumps education almost every single time. For specialized work like teaching, veterinary medicine, law, etc. obviously you need formal education. But even within those areas, there are roles that do not require college/University diplomas (legal assistant, vet assistant, teacher's aid, etc., you may be able to get away with zero education, or else a small commitment of a vocational course).

You may have to work hard to offset your lack of education with more experience, but based on my own career trajectory, you're not out of luck just because you lack a degree. In this day and age, employers recognize that a degree doesn't mean shit, and they'd rather hire a scrappy young upstart with passion and enthusiasm, over some mediocre and unremarkable individual who showed up to class every day and earned their diploma ( at least, that is what I see in the corporate world).

So, all that to say - it's a major decision to make, but it's not permanent, and it won't completely prevent you from earning a comfortable living doing a job you enjoy. Though you should know that Kira is right when they said that taking a break will likely result in permanent hiatus/dropping out. But you're young. You have lots of time to figure it out, and like I said; NOTHING IS PERMANENT. Figure your shit out and then go back to school.

Good luck!