Reflecting on Dropping Out of College: A Personal Journey

Have you ever considered dropping out of college?

My Decision to Drop Out

I recently made the difficult decision to drop out of a graduate program in computer science. Until recently, I was pursuing an online degree in the field, but ultimately came to terms with the fact that the return on investment was not worth it.

My reasoning was straightforward: the field I am in places a stronger emphasis on practical skills and real-world applications rather than just credentials. Additionally, since I already have a degree, I believed I could achieve my goals through self-study and interesting projects, rather than a formal education.

The material I was learning became increasingly boring and irrelevant to my interests, leading me to dread lectures. Coupled with a greater focus on practical learning and hands-on experience, I decided to create my own study plan and focus on what I wanted to learn.

While I still have a deep love for learning and future educational programs, I recognize that my work schedule and financial limitations make it challenging to balance the demands of higher education.

Previous Experiences: Dropping Out Twice

I have dropped out of college twice in my academic journey. The first time was during the first semester of my freshman year, right after graduating from high school in 2015. Financial instability and an overwhelming amount of people around me, from my private academy, made it difficult for me to access the necessary resources for my education. As my grades were poor and I could foresee academic scholarships being replaced with debt, I chose to leave school and get a job instead.

The second time I dropped out was in 2020, halfway through my first semester. The onset of the pandemic shifted everything, including my learning environment. My job was helping me financially, but my professors expected me to dedicate more time than I could to my studies. This was compounded by assignments requiring three-day art projects, which required at least 8 hours of dedicated time daily. With my job, this was not feasible. The combination of poor focus and lack of time led me to realize I couldn't effectively learn in an online environment. I chose to work instead.

Even as I am constantly considering returning to college, the financial and personal tolls of my past experiences have made me hesitant. If I were to drop out a third time, it may be the end of my pursuit of higher education.

Conclusion

While dropping out of college can be a daunting decision, it is a choice that allows for self-discovery and learning on one's own terms. However, it is important to consider the reasons behind this decision and be mindful of personal and financial constraints.