At some point, I experienced burnout during college. At that time, I didn’t know what to do with my study. I am majoring in IT, but it was only because my uncle recommended I enroll. After all, it was a popular major at that time (and maybe still).
So I was following along, and over time I was enjoying it. I rushed to every classroom so to graduate as soon as possible. But if I were going back, I would consider options with my parents or take a different major altogether. We will never know.
Plenty of options. I can consider a community college or a technical school, get an apprenticeship, find on-the-job training opportunities, become a firefighter or a policeman, and even go to work or open up a business. Many of my mates and I had never thought of it before. We were just too young to pick up life choices.
You don’t need a college title to be successful. What you need is an excellent skill to get a good job or contribute to society. Find out your reasons and either choose to face it and understand why you feel that way or get the easy way out by quitting college.
Then fast forward fifteen years later, I am here like you from the future, giving you advice; when you don’t want to go to college anymore, what are your options? But first, let’s go over the goods of going to college.
Contents
Why Should You Go to College?
Up to today, there are still many advantages in getting a bachelor’s degree. College graduates earn 57% more job opportunities than non-graduates, and the statistic is only increased every year. A college degree enables you to qualify for additional options and be exposed to flexibility to choose to work.
So, unless you find an excellent reason to drop out of college, I suggest just going through with it. It’s only for years anyway, where are you at now? Sophomore year? Then it’s just two years away. If it’s taking too much of you, I suggest taking a sabbatical year or mid-term break and succumbing to something different.
Take this opportunity to travel the world, pursue vocational training, volunteer with UNESCO, WWF, Red Cross, UNICEF, or another non-profit organization. In doing so, you will learn many things that they cannot teach in the classroom.
For instance, I offered myself as a roadie in a concert, touring with the band, getting in the backstage, and from there, I learned there is more context to “make ends meet” than just paper certificates, even though it was just for weeks worth of experience. With this in mind, you can outweigh which one is better for you. You need to keep in mind and consider all of the options.
You have to do what you love while having a backup plan if “what you love” is not enough.
What are the Options Other than College?
You can join the military, learn a different trade like carpentry, hairdresser, mechanic. Assess yourself for a personality test. It’s good enough to know yourself, what you are outstanding and comfortable at, and whatnot. For example, I turned out to be an ISTP, they are good with troubleshooting and creation, so here I am, creating out things.
Find out what you can get with your minimum effort. Like electrologists, they make good money. Look for an on-the-job training opportunity. Join clubs; you can do gym, swimming, archery, play guitar and drums. There must be something that interests you to help you get out.
The military has free room and board, healthcare and dental care, educational benefits, tuition assistance, and even home financing. Plus, as a soldier, you can receive professional and technical training in many fields. People in the military are taught how to make decisions in extreme conditions. Because of this, many of them become political leaders.
Pursue vocational training or take your time to travel. Once you are in college or get a job, you will have less time to see the world. Traveling and volunteering offers an opportunity to fulfill your wanderlust. Create a fallback plan, for argument’s sake, with your parents.
Gap years are most advantageous when students have a plan.
How to Communicate with Your Parents/Guardian?
It can be daunting to take a gap year or tell them you don’t want to go to college anymore. Especially if they pay for your tuition, explain clearly to them your plan and how it can affect you and them. You need to understand that your parents care about you and want you to be happy and prosperous. They only need persuasion. Show them you know what you’re signing up for by putting your plan into action.
On college loan
Don’t forget about your federal loans. Having a massive debt takes away the joy of living. Debt forces people to work boring jobs. Average borrowers can take about twenty years to pay off their student debt. This is too much to take if you don’t love your job stemming from college burnout. They will make your financial life a living hell on earth until you pay it back.
The other sign you need to drop off college is when you don’t learn anything from there. Take a step back, and once you find your purpose, you can get realigned and make new goals.
Conclusion
Not every pupil is ready for college right after high school. They are too young anyway to make life decisions about their career. Try to enjoy college, network, and have fun. You are only there once in your lifetime.
If you’re a filling college burnout at any time, take some time to relax. Don’t push yourself over the edge. It’s just not worth it. But also, don’t allow yourself to become impulsive only in academics. There is more life than just studying and attending college classroom.
If I can go back to my college years, I will assess many different options. If it is out white, the benefits of quitting college will leave college entirely. This is precisely what happens with Mark Zuckerberg and Bill gates. They are surely see something more than just graduating college. Later on, people can justify their actions.
If you still can’t see how the college will bring you if you already have a better alternative than college, I suggest you’re not rushing up things. Calm yourself and cool your head, be grateful for your point in life, appreciate that you have gotten this far, and for what you have. Consult a mentor or your parents. What are your best friends thinking, and what are your seniors feeling about their life choices now?
Often, it’s better to push through the inconvenience than uncertainty if you’re don’t know any better. Create a fallback plan. If you want to take a recess, consider the options you want to try. Remember also you cannot take it for too long. It would be best if you decided before the choice is all closed.
Bottom words, you don’t need college to find the things that you love. But you do need a clear plan for what to do instead of college.
