The Reasons Behind Why Students Drop Out Of College

You are a freshman in college and you have gotten through the first month of classes. You feel like you are getting a hang of college life and making friends and living your fullest life. The only issue is that you haven't been to class in two weeks because you have lost all interest in the program you chose. This is an unfortunate problem that many students encounter today. They are rushed into college after high school because that is what they feel they need to do.

College can be a great life step for many people but for some, it can be a costly mistake. Starting college that early in life is sometimes not a smart choice, as 13%-22% of students under 20 years old drop out(college atlas, 2018). Your typical college experience is an unnecessary and forced experience. High school students should not feel pressured into college because they may need to work after high school, the rising cost of schooling and because many are unsure of what they want to do in life.

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For some students after high school, college is not an option because they have to work. One of the issues with a typical college is that it takes up a large portion of your schedule and leaves you little time to work. That is not possible for some because their families depend on them to help out with money. Going to school and working would be too difficult and would affect the student's grades. In a study done by Penn State, they found that working more than 35 hours a week while full time in school created negative effects such as higher rates of dropping out, declining academic performance and delayed graduation rates.

That is a large tole for needing to work while in college. Many people can find a job that will provide for them and their family without the need for a college degree. That is why for some work is more important than college.

Even though some students choose not to go to college because they need to work, some choose not to go because of pf the rising costs of school. Students who jump into college right after high school are often unprepared to pay for it. They have to take out loans that the school says they need and that they haven't done the research on. School loans can become very expensive, especially if you need to take one out each semester. Many students are unsure of how they are going to cover these costs and are forced to work many hours, as stated before can have a detrimental effect on their academic performance. One way to get around this is to look at the trades. Trade school jobs are among the 43 highest-earning jobs amont all trades (beelineweb.com, 2019). Many of these schools allow you to work while you learn and offer very low tuition that is very manageable or are free offered by the trade. The money that students need to put into college can be unreachable and have a lasting negative effect on their lives, so they are choosing different options.

Even though the rising cost of college pushes away students, many choose not to go because they are unsure of what they want to do in life. Students in high school are usually concerned with school, sports, or other extracurricular activities and don't give much thought to what they want to do in life. They are 18 years old or younger and think that they have a lot of time to figure it out. High schools push colleges to these students when they are unsure of what they want to do. High school is also no comparison to college. When students are in high school, their whole day is planned for them and the classes are relatively easy. They do not have to manage their time as many assignments are completed in the classroom. When they jump to college, they have to manage their own time and are thrown into living on their own. Many students are not ready for this. In a report, it showed that 47% of high school graduates neither complete a college nor career-ready course (santelises, 2019). This is a very high number that shows that it is difficult for high school students to adjust to college life. College is not always the best choice right away because many students are unprepared.

It is often argued that college can be a valuable experience in a person’s life. One cannot deny that It can teach them social skills and how to manage their time. For many people, it is their first time living on their own. College can be a big stepping stone in people’s lives. Nevertheless, it is very difficult to master all of it at once. Students are only 18 years old when they begin and are not adults. It is a very difficult time for them. A great example of this is in an article by Aine Greaney. They talk about how it was a mistake that could “cast a long shadow over their academic, personal and professional life.” And at about 16, 17, and 18, the brain of a teenager isn’t wired to make the most prudent decisions. Their college experience is one of many that show that it can be a negative experience. Thus, that is why college is always the best choice for students right after high school.

College has become something that is pushed throughout high school that may not be as important as some may think. Many students are foregoing college for different reasons. Some people have to work to provide for their families after high school. Some people look at the rising cost of tuition and think that it is impossible. And some just are unsure of what they want to do in life. No matter the reason, students are deciding to take their time in deciding what they want to do in life and making choices on their own. We should stand by these students and help them and support them for these decisions. College may become a small portion of some people’s lives because they believe they can accomplish more without it.