9 Solid Reasons to Not Drop Out of College

College can be challenging and stressful, leading some students to consider dropping out. Financial struggles, domestic issues, and stressful coursework are common stressors that often result in this decision.

However, dropping out of college can have long-term consequences that may affect your career and financial stability.

Is it good to take a drop from college?

The answer to this question depends on your circumstances. Sometimes taking a break can be necessary, especially if you face personal issues such as mental health problems, illness, or financial difficulties.

Taking a year off can give you the time you need to resolve your issues and return to college with renewed focus and motivation. However, if you are just feeling overwhelmed by the demands of college or want to take a break to travel or party, then dropping out is not a good idea.

Why do people drop out of college?

Some common reasons people drop out of college include financial burden, poor academic performance, lack of motivation, feeling overwhelmed, and health problems.

Other causes include peer pressure and loss of interest in the course. If you struggle with any of these issues, it's essential to seek help from your academic advisor, a counselor, a friend, or a family member.

If you’re thinking about dropping out, this article will explore 10 solid reasons to stick on and not drop out of college.

1. Increases your chances of getting a good job

One of the primary reasons for attending college is to improve your employment prospects. Having a degree is essential if you want a high-paying and stable job.

Research shows that college graduates earn significantly higher than those without a degree. Employers also prefer candidates with a college degree since they usually have competent knowledge and skills for the corporate world.

For instance, college graduates normally have excellent writing skills, which they can use to help employers with talks like writing business proposals. Without a degree, you will be limited to low-wage jobs with little to no room for career advancement.

2. Equips you with valuable knowledge and skills

College education provides you with more than just a degree. It equips you with a range of knowledge and skills that gives you an upper hand in the corporate world.

For instance, aside from obtaining a degree, you will learn skills such as:

• Critical thinking;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Effective communication skills;
• Time management skills;
• Problem-solving skills;
• Team management.

These skills are essential inside and outside the workforce and will help you achieve your long-term career and personal goals.

3. Helps to build your portfolio and resume

Employers want to see tangible evidence of what you bring to the table before they employ you. 

Finishing college will help you build a consistent portfolio that showcases the projects and assignments you completed. For instance, mentioning that you completed a research project would increase your chances of being hired.

However, if you drop out of college, explaining the gap in your resume will be hard, and your prospective employer may even label you a ‘quitter.’

With a consistent portfolio and resume, you'll be well-positioned to market yourself as the best fit for any available job openings.

Does taking a drop affect admission?

Taking a year off from college can affect your admission status, especially if you plan to return. Sometimes, you may have to go through the college application and admission process afresh. To make it worse, you may lose scholarships or financial aid opportunities you gained in your first admission.

4. You’ll get opportunities in the corporate world

In college, you can access various programs, clubs, and extracurricular activities that help you build highly marketable skills.

You'll be exposed to unique opportunities like study abroad programs, internships, and research projects. Additionally, you can take on volunteering activities like community work while still studying.

These experiences will boost your professional development and expose you to better opportunities for your future goals.

5. Network-building opportunities

The college provides you with various opportunities to build your network. Only in college will you get the chance to interact with students from different parts of the world with different backgrounds, faculty, and professions.

Colleges also organize networking forums and inter-college interactions, which help you build your network for the future. You may not be able to get such opportunities outside the college.

Career forums and cultural weeks are other excellent opportunities to meet mentors, alumni, and peers. These connections can provide valuable information, mentorship, and support to help you after graduation.

6. Exposes you to leadership opportunities

College is an excellent platform to build your leadership skills. You get to participate in different activities, clubs, and associations, which can help you hone your leadership abilities.

For instance, by being a part of clubs and student organizations, you'll learn how to work in a team, collaboration, communication, and other essential leadership skills.

You can also create your club, network with professionals in your field, or become a mentor to your fellow students. These skills are valuable in real-world scenarios, helping you to become a better leader in the process.

7. Develops confidence and self-esteem

The process of completing an assignment or acing a test provides a great sense of accomplishment. When you master tasks that initially looked difficult, like writing essays or conducting research projects, it boosts your self-esteem and gives you the confidence to tackle more challenges.

Nothing builds more self-confidence than success. The satisfaction of completing challenging tasks in college will give you the confidence to take risks and handle bigger issues in real-life even after graduating.

Additionally, college takes you out of your comfort zone, which helps build character and discipline for the outside world.

8. You can take advantage of professional development courses

Another advantage of sticking with college is the professional development courses you can take.

Sometimes, students want to quit college due to a loss of interest in their course or lack of clarity. If this is the case with you, you can always take professional development courses available for your major.

Courses like entrepreneurship and management can open your eyes to the possibilities in your career and motivate you to go on with your college studies. They’ll also equip you with practical skills you can leverage once you graduate.

9. College gives you an environment to grow

The college provides a safe space to explore your interests, figure out who you are, and develop your full potential.

The college environment encourages you to take risks and challenges you to think critically, creatively, and independently. This way, you can easily push yourself beyond your limits and achieve personal and professional growth.

Additionally, college is an opportunity to get exposure to a wide range of people, which can broaden your perspectives and inspire you to grow fast.

What are the drawbacks of drop year?

Taking a year off from college can have significant drawbacks. For instance, you’ll be behind schedule in terms of graduation. This can make it harder to catch up with your peers and delay your entry into the workforce. Also, it can hurt your motivation and make it harder to get back into the swing when you return to college. Finally, dropping out can hurt your future career prospects and make it hard to find a job in a competitive job market.

Conclusion

While dropping out of college may seem tempting in certain situations, it often isn't the best choice. You may save a bit of money and short-term inconveniences, but you’ll certainly suffer the consequences in the long run.

Investing time and money into your education is an investment for your future. The benefits of staying in school and earning a degree far outweigh the short-term savings from dropping out.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the essays and assignments, consider getting help from a professional paper writing service like Writers Per Hour to handle your essays and research papers for you. This will relieve you of the pressure and enable you to focus on learning and growing professionally.