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The college dropout rate sits at around 40% of all U.S. undergraduates. And nearly a third of first-year students never make it to their sophomore year. But dropping out of college can shape a student’s future for years.

Those who drop out are more likely to default on their student loans than those who graduate. And postsecondary degree-holders have lower poverty rates than those with just high school diplomas. Together, college dropouts miss out on an estimated $3.8 billion in earnings each year.

3 Reasons Students Drop Out of College

Students leave college for many reasons, including financial pressures, falling behind in class, and health issues. However, students considering dropping out can often find alternative solutions by seeking out resources to help alleviate their struggles.

1. The High Cost of College

2. Falling Behind Academically

Some students arrive on campus eager to enroll in classes only to find themselves quickly falling behind. These academic pressures push some students to drop out in their first year.

According to a 2017 study from the Hechinger Report, most colleges admit students unprepared for college-level courses. In 2014, over 40% of first-year students in the California State University system had to enroll in remedial courses in at least one subject. So did around 25-30% of first-year students at four-year public schools in Colorado, Montana, and Arkansas.

First-year students have the highest dropout rate, in part because transitioning from high school to college brings academic and personal challenges. Colleges offer many academic support services for struggling students, including tutoring services, academic advising, and office hours.

3. Personal Issues

Many personal issues can push students to consider dropping out of college. Health problems and illnesses might make it difficult to stay enrolled. So can mental health conditions. Students in caregiver roles, including student parents, may find themselves with little time or energy for school.

College students need to prioritize their personal well-being. Fortunately, colleges offer many support services to help students stay in school, including more flexible online enrollment options, student health and mental health services, and support programs for student parents.

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General

College may not feel like the right fit for you, but it’s important to understand why. Before dropping out, ask yourself these big-picture questions to get to the root of what you’re feeing.

When making a big decision, it’s best to balance emotion and logic, so you don’t make an irrational decision. Ask yourself: Is your reason for dropping out based on emotion or hard facts? For instance, are you just not happy with your classes this semester, or do you feel like college isn’t helping you reach your goals?

If you decide to drop out, you’re responsible for figuring out how that affects your career and life goals. What do you want to do instead of school? Start a business? Travel? Apprentice?

You can usually return to college after dropping out, thanks to the re-entry programs offered by many colleges. However, it may be hard to find time to go back to school once you’ve started a different career.

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Finance

Financial pressure is one of the most common reasons for students to choose to drop out of college. If you feel stressed about the price of tuition, student debt, monthly expenses, or other financial concerns, as yourself these questions.

You can appeal your aid package to the financial aid office, even in the middle of the school year. The financial aid office has the discretion to increase your aid, especially if your circumstances change and affect your ability to pay for college.

Financial hurdles are tough to get over, but the federal government can often help. You may be eligible for Federal Pell Grants, which are usually awarded to undergraduate students who have unmet financial needs.

Most colleges have departmental scholarships available for in-department students. Departmental scholarships help ensure that students stay financially comfortable, and awards can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Some students have no choice but to drop out because of a lack of financial resources. If getting an expensive education is the issue, there are cheaper options out there, such as community college or non-degree programs.

Final thoughts

There are numerous ways to earn an income and build a career without a college degree. Dropping out of college can simply free up your time to pursue something bigger, better, and more suitable for you. Just be sure to get creative, explore your options, and pursue your dreams.

Joanna joined the CareerAddict content team in 2017, and her role has evolved into a multifaceted one over time. In between heading our CV writing services and orchestrating our digital marketing efforts, she takes the time to share her expertise in a variety of insightful and thought-provoking articles about CV writing, HR, recruitment, social media, job search strategies and more. Joanna holds both a BA and an MA in journalism, and previously worked within a variety of fields including HR and recruitment, travel, fashion and entertainment. She’s also our in-house fashion guru and enjoys cooking up a storm in her spare time.

Joanna joined the CareerAddict content team in 2017, and her role has evolved into a multifaceted one over time. In between heading our CV writing services and orchestrating our digital marketing efforts, she takes the time to share her expertise in a variety of insightful and thought-provoking articles about CV writing, HR, recruitment, social media, job search strategies and more. Joanna holds both a BA and an MA in journalism, and previously worked within a variety of fields including HR and recruitment, travel, fashion and entertainment. She’s also our in-house fashion guru and enjoys cooking up a storm in her spare time.

Source:

https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/dropping-out-of-college/
https://thebestschools.org/magazine/questions-to-ask-before-dropping-out-of-college/
https://www.careeraddict.com/college-dropout