Should I Quit School?

United States
February 2, 2007 10:33pm CST
I've been thinking of quitting school. I just feel like a total failure for staying. I'm not happy anymore. Nothing about school excites me anymore. I know I'm lucky that my parents can send me to college, but I don't really want that. People say I need education to get a good job, then I can still get a good in fact high paying job even if I don't graduate. I'm good at computers, I know webdesign. If I want a good future for myself, then I can still do that. Please give me your advice. Thank you.
23 people like this
136 responses
• United States
3 Feb 07
Stay in school, maybe take a class or two that really intrigue you. If you finish your degree it's something no one can take away from you. It can get stressful but you will be glad you made it through. The computer industry is extremely competitive and there are thousands of people who are good at computers and web design looking for the same jobs you are, you want the edge over them. When I get frustrated with school I take a class like ceramics, yoga, music or creative writing to give myself something that feels less like a chore. :) good luck!
4 people like this
• United States
3 Feb 07
thank you for your suggestion. im still really thinking about my options right now. weighing things and all. if a special class would make me want to stay in school, then id probably enroll. but then, there's still this big urge in me wanting to quit school as of the moment. much appreciated.
2 people like this
@FiredUp (270)
• United States
3 Feb 07
You should stay with your education. I know it gets old after a while, but just tough it out and you will be glad that you did. Even if you can make a good living now, the world is changing so fast, you never know what the future will bring. I know from experience that having an education readies you for those changes and you are better able to keep up. Just stick with it now, and it will pay off for the rest of your life.
• United States
3 Feb 07
maybe that is the reason why i can't quit school EASILY. it makes me think of what will happen in the future if i don't secure a college degree. sure, i can get a stable job now but will it carry through 10 years from now? something im really pondering on as well. thank you.
1 person likes this
@banta78 (4326)
• India
3 Feb 07
I personally feel you should complete your education as it is important for your career. As you say said you feel lucky that your parents can send you to college, so try to make most of it as many unfortunate people would have wished they had this opportunity. Try to join & take interests in subjects, courses that you enjoy and are good at so you won't feel left out or failure. Besides on completion you will get certification for it. And with your computer skills and web design skills will give you edge ove your competitors. good luck.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Feb 07
an "edge"is probably the best thing i can get from a degree. however, if i just do good in my job and gain as much skills as i can then maybe it'll compensate my lack of degree? just a thought.
• Philippines
3 Feb 07
its still best to earn your knowledge from school coupled with the abilities you have. its best for you to have a degree holder than nothing at all. Its the education that cant be stolen out from you.
• United States
3 Feb 07
i know education is something that can't be stolen from me.. but then, if continue school i just really feel like a big failure since i dont LIKE it anymore.
• India
4 Feb 07
yes ur right
• United States
3 Feb 07
When you say school, I assume you mean college, not high school. If you feel you need some time off, remember that colleges will still be around 5, 10, even 50 years from now if you decide in the future to return. There will be no giant black mark on your permanent record, you could go back anytime you chose. However, your parents willingness to foot the bill won't be around forever. With the cost of a higher education these days, that's a huge factor! What exactly is it you are unsatisfied with about your school? Instead of just quitting, how about trying to change the things you are unhappy with? There are other majors, other colleges, other living arrangements. I would try to pinpoint exactly what it is you don't like and make an effort to improve that first, before leaving. My husband hated his first year of college and wanted to leave, he changed his major, ended up loving the next few years, and even went straight on afterwards to get his masters. Find something to study that you love, and you may never want to leave!
2 people like this
• United States
3 Feb 07
"taking some time off" maybe that is what i need. maybe i just need a break from everything, to think things through. probably get that job and see if im satisfied. if not, ill go back to college and finish it. but these things, they're very hard to explain to my parents. thank you for your ideas. i shall consider them. maybe i just haven't found what i really want to do or the course that really fits me.
1 person likes this
@redrain (29)
• Indonesia
3 Feb 07
celestialvie, you cann't quit school just like that. even if it is for your own sake. think about your parent feeling, they just want you to get best education, in their way of course. you should try find some friend in your school, if you spend your time with friends, hopefully you will feel better. and the, if you really good at computers, how about you start in your school, helping your friends or making money in school is easy for you. after that experience in your school, it's easy to find a profesional job. good luck
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Feb 07
Exactly, i am taking my parents feelings into consideration. that is why i am really careful with this decision because i know it will not only affect me but also my parents and everyone who cares a lot about me. since they really want this degree for me and they think that education is the surest way to success. but i am also thinking of what i want .. to be selfish in a way that i want to do what i want and what makes me happy. after all, this is my life right? i want to live it to the fullest. :(
• Indonesia
5 Feb 07
i understand your feeling though. it's ok to be selfish sometime. if you really want to quit the school so much, then quit. you need to talk to your parent first though. and you must be take a full responsibility for that decision. you musn't feel regret in the future and do what you feel right for your future. as long as you stay to think positive & always responsible for what you done, it's ok.
@toonatoons (3737)
• Philippines
3 Feb 07
when i was in college, i was made to take up a course i didn't like. i felt like quitting right there and then, believing that i could have a future without having a college education. but i'm glad my senses got the better of me, and i went on to earn my college degree. i know there are people who make it big somehow even without having gone to college and all that, but not everyone gets to be that lucky. it is always a great advantage to have finished college, and oftentimes, it is a requirement when applying for jobs in companies. stay in school. feel blessed that your parents are able to send you to school. not many people have that opportunity.
• United States
3 Feb 07
the opportunity that my parents can send me to school is something i should be thankful about and something i should be taking advantage of. however, sometimes its soooooo hard to do something that's totally becoming against ur well. its like i get sick in the stomach already going to scool. but the opportunity makes me lucky. im really just TORN as of the moment.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
3 Feb 07
education is very important especially in nowadays world... you won't be able to survive without a degree... well, you may be able to survive... but it will be very very hard for you to find a good paying job... knowledge is an investment that nobody can steal or take it away from you once it is on your head... so i will definitely suggest for you not to quit school... you are very lucky to have parents that are still able to support you... please don't let them down and make use of the opportunity while you still can...
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Feb 07
i know.. oppotunity doesn't knock twice as they say. but what if i actually can get a high paying job right now even without the degree? rather than stay in school and remain feeling like a failure.
• India
3 Feb 07
I think u should go by ur heart. If u r not interested in schooling, u shouldn't. Seeing towards ur future, u say u know webdesigning, u r good at computers. then u r secured this way. Dont force urself wat u dont want to do. Listen to ur heart and everything will go right. BEST OF LUCK FOR UR SHINING FUTURE AHEAD.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 07
that's exactly what i feel. do what my heart tells me to do. i am actually a very depressed person right now, detached from the world. i used to have billions of friends, used to be giddy. but now, i hate life, i hate everything. it all started when i didn't want to go to school anymore. need something else to do in my life. want to follow a different path. i want a new environment. i don't want to stick it out with school anymore just to please my parents and just getting really frustrated about myself. i don't enjoy school and its affecting my personality. its a bigger problem knowing i am not only wieghing my decision to quit school or not but also on how to get my life back. or to get a life back. i feel so little about myself not wanting to go to school anymore while a lot of people (even here in my lot) thinks that getting a degree is ther best way to go. i feel bad for myself, not seeing the good side of that. i feel bad being different. wanting something else than what most people want. :(
@nawaab (168)
• India
3 Feb 07
well I do not think any of the parents in the world will approve my advice ..but if something doesn't excites you .. you should leave it then and there .. provided there is something other you are excited about .. and history sets so many examples where people who quite schooling had gone places .. now this does not mean tht one got to quite schooling to go places .. hee eh
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Feb 07
well i dont expect myself to be like bill gates or anyone in history. . but i do expect myself to do something good too and achieve some things as well. to earn for my future etc.. i do like your advice though, the decision id want right away if there aren't any considerations to make. thank you.
@cjthedog64 (1552)
• United States
3 Feb 07
I think college is becoming more overrated all the time. I went (on my parent's dime) and had a good social learning experience (not just parties!) but didn't get much in the way of career help. I have gotten jobs though because I stuck it out and got my degree. Even though the job had nothing to do with the degree. It's good that you know other stuff, and you might be able to just use that knowledge to get a good career going. But you also have to think about what certifications you might need to get a leg up on other job applicants. Especially if you're over 1/2 way done with your degree - I'd stay stick it out. Take advantage of your parents paying for it and get it now. If you drop out, they probably won't give you the opportunity again in the future.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 07
true, if i drop out i probably wont get the same opportunity again. im still really thinking a lot about this decision of mine. the consequence you mentioned here is something really scary as well. but knowing i am offered a good and high paying job as of the moment, reaslly isn't helping cause it just makes me want to quit school all the more.
@roque20 (518)
• Philippines
3 Feb 07
if it is not your passion to go to school then dont go. instead do what you wanted to do, as yu said earlier you are good in computer so there are courses that is about computer and it may be interesting for you and you would go to school for the computer course. because if you dont like what you're doing you cannot be successful ands sincere of what youre doing.
• United States
3 Feb 07
exactly! i do not like what i do, so i dont feel successful with it. thats why im frustrated with myself, since im not happy with it anymore. the more i stay in school, the more i feel like a failure.
• Pakistan
3 Feb 07
there is a very easy solution for your problem you just keep studying in the field that you like as you said above about computers you should study the subject you're interested , you should do computer course like programming , photography , webdesigning , hardware e.t.c to increase youe skills but quitting studies is not a solution at all and keep in mind that "Practice makes a man paerfect" keep practicng for best results you'll cross the line of SUCCESS and you'll no more be a failure :)
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Feb 07
i shall take that advice into consideration. . like take classes about computers or in line with my interest.. however, its being in school that i am more worried about. hahay.
@mnksmommy (301)
• United States
3 Feb 07
Please do not quit school. I know it is so easy to get burnt out on school and homework but it is so worth it in the long run.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 07
i am probably burnt out.. since sometimes i feel i cant even get inside the campus.
@Sir_bobby88 (8231)
• Singapore
3 Feb 07
Well in the first place ... you are not going to school for fun yea .... you go school for education prehaps you can forget all the fun part .... A diploma or degree really makes a difference for you to find job , you should continue with your studies
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 07
yeah i know the purpose is to get an education. however, its a drag really. it makes me feel so little of myself not wanting school and staying isn't really helping what im feeling.
@alchemistrx (2547)
• Philippines
3 Feb 07
I suggest that you finish for requirements sake but you can alway apply for jobs when you are going to college.I always wanted to that when I was in college but I was told by my parents to concentrate on my studies.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 07
I am being told that too. my parents don't want any distractions, like a job or something.. they said, they want me to finish school and THEN get a job.
• India
3 Feb 07
School Kid - School kids love staying back at home and skipping studies
If you are in school that means you are not a grown up kid and you need to learn a lot of basic things before you choose any meaningful profession. Dear the things taught in school may sound stupid right now but will definitely affect your life to come. Please think seriously about it and consult your parents before you take any such decision.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 07
i will definitely consult my parents because they'd probably want to kill me. true, i am weighing my decisions the best that i can and truly serious about this. since i cant talk to my parents just yet, through mylot i know i can get sound opinions from people just like you. because of this, a lot of pros and cons have already been detailed out for me. thank you so much for replying.
• United States
3 Feb 07
Really sit down and work out what it is that you want to accomplish with your life. Then stay in school and take the courses that will help you to acheive your goals and purposes. Two good rules to follow in life are: never give up and persist.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 07
thankyou for those two rules. i still am considering to persist.. i just want to listen to sound opinions. if i didn;t want to give staying in school a chance. i wouldn't even bother weighing this decision.
• Australia
3 Feb 07
Although you may not use your education, you are more likely to be employed in a well paying job if you finish school. You will get respect for finishing school, will also learn life skills, such as diligence and dedication to the task. It always looks bad if you drop out of something half way through. Give your resume a boost and stick to it.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 07
true, it does give colors to a resume. you also have a point on peoples perception when you drop out of something half way. im still trying to weight the pros and cons. thanks for sharing.
@dotkil (23)
• New Zealand
3 Feb 07
Hey well it all depends on how you really feel about the education that you are given, if your not enjoying it then I personally think that you should tell your parents that your not happy and then go from there.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 07
i am in the best university here in our place. however, i a not at all happy staying in school.