College: That Thing That’s Not for Everyone

Why did I write this article?
I am writing this article because since starting my business, I have watched a select amount of people struggle motivating themselves through the path “decided for them” at such a young age: the path to a degree. Each of these people possessed a drive that didn’t quite fit the typical college agenda. They had a passion buried inside that had been calling to them since their junior year of high school, and ever since have been wondering what they would do after high school graduation to address their passion. In this article we will address questions such as “Should I listen to my gut?..”What will they say about me?”..”How do I tell my parents?”..and “Where should I start?”

For those who don’t want to fly, simply drive.
Fly from Maine to Florida. Now drive. Which got you to Florida faster? Which did you learn the most from? By flying, you can study the parts of the United States and read books about them. By driving, you are experiencing them hands on. Though flying is the usual choice for people, some choose to get a different experience, with the same end result.
Most of the young adults I interviewed for this article, share a common scrutiny of society around them. They feel everything is a pre-set system. That system is pre-school > kindergarden > elementary > middle school > high school > college > job. All believed that undergoing the process of kindergarden through high school is essential, but most would share the same opinion on pre-school and college. “My mom taught me everything my friends were learning in preschool, before I even got there, ” one young woman stated. “I believe that you can learn things, and sometimes even more beneficial things, not going through a preordained system, when you have found something you believe works better for you.” Most of those interviewed wanted to make clear the fact that they were not against the school system. Their belief is that just as the mother of a toddler can gauge the importance of pre-school to their child, a capable young adult can themselves gauge the importance of college and can personally weigh out the benefits of choosing a different route.

Some look at me like I set up a meeting to get a “Loser” tattoo on my forehead.
Most people look at a college dropout as a quitter, or ignorant, or lazy. I know your reaction may be to get mad at them, but before you do, lets look at the facts. No, I’m not going to give you the number of dropouts last year, or the percentage rate of dropout change since 1990, nor am I going to give you the constantly fluctuating number of successes and failures of college dropouts. If your reading this article, you most likely are considering dropping out or have thought about it in your past, and if you are trying to find your percent chance of success, go back to school, this isn’t for you. It’s not about success or money, its about you and your life. Those of you who believe in yourself and feel the calling to take a different route, keep reading. You’re not a loser, your just an eager self-motivator who is dying to prove the bashers wrong…and you will.

Consider every option or possibility before deciding it’s not for you.
Everyone has a touch of lazy in them, and you SHOULD NOT mistake a slum in grades, a drought of no “fun” or “interest”, or a “great idea” for reasons to drop out of college. Dropping out or not going at all is only for the person who knows it is worth the risk (or many risks), and knows they are better off (and happier) if they do so.

The College Drop-out Checklist: Pros and Cons of Dropping out of College
Everyone is getting to you, and their opinions seem way too biased. You once KNEW you should be taking a different route than staying in or going to college, but now you are unsure. Below is a list of important things to consider in your big life decision. Remember, college may not be for everyone, but dropping out certainly isn’t for everyone either.

Cons to Dropping out of college:
•  Education on the wide array of topics college has to offer is no longer available to you in an easily-accessible classmate and mentor presented way.
• A proven reliable plan is out the window.
•  No degree for those jobs that require it.
•  No Delay in responsibility. In college your living in a no-rent, no bills, free food style atmosphere and this gives you time to prepare for what’s ahead in the real world.
•  When competing for a non-required-degree job, the person with the degree may get it or may get paid more.
• If over 18, you could (depending on insurance provider) have to come off of your parent’s health insurance plan, causing you or your parents have to pay for a different insurance plan for you. Now, depending on if your parents back-up your leaving college, this could be ok for you…or put you out over 100$ a month. Insurance also pays for things such as contact lenses, eye appointments, dentist, doctor, gyno (birth control), and tripping over a rock and gouging your knee.
•  You have to get your own transportation and pay for insurance (if your parents are like mine were, you probably do this already).
•  No internship oportunity. A lot of people started their careers by the internships they received through college. Decide if college is the only way to get that “break” you need, or if you could do this on your own by starting as the “Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts run girl/boy” at 7 big one’$ an hour.
•  You have to prove yourself by another method. You can’t just go out and expect the world to listen to you. If you don’t have a degree, you’ll need something for people to judge you by. Whether it be a portfolio or a skill, make sure it is recordable and worthy of a masters degree or two.
•  A huge marketing possibility is now out of your reach. In college, you meet, and meet, and meet. Networking through people is the key to any success, and by leaving college or not going, your losing your chance to reach out and connect to hundreds or thousands of students and faculty.
•  You’ve lost a great support system. In college you can fall back on the school, classmates, friends, and family. In the real world school and classmates aren’t there, and friends and family only get you so far.
•  Until you succeed, you will get put-down. (Many will tell you that you should think about going back to school, up until the point the dough is rolling in.)
• You’ll have to work extra hard at your goals to achieve them.

Pros to Dropping out of College:
•  You won’t be wasting time. (You can get that jump start on real-life experiences and your passions.)
•  You won’t be wasting money. (Whether your parents, yours, or the governments money….college costs A LOT)
• You won’t be paying off loans until your $40+ (I know many people still unable to do things because they are burdened by their college loans).
•  You will be earning money. (Weigh out the difference between how much you will make without a degree and how much you will make with a degree).
•  You’ll be off of the grade-based system. (Bad grades? You mean bad test-taker. Plus, why would you want to take tests on subjects you’ve never been interested in?)
•  You’re happy, and perusing your dream.

How do I tell my parents I am dropping out?
This for most people, is the hardest part. You fear anger, ruined relationships, disappointment, and lots of scrutiny. The best thing to do is to make a plan, and write it down in a detailed fashion. Explain to whoever reads the document how you plan to succeed without going to college. The larger your plan, the more it shows your family that your decision is not just an on-a-whim but well thought out. Begin with an intro paragraph explaining you want to drop out or not go to college, and a brief summary of why. Give reference points and proof that your decision is also based on interviews with authority (school counselor, teacher, etc.) Lastly, break the news in person. State that you are willing to go to college in the future if things don’t work out. Next, call/talk to them and tell them you have been thinking about something and wanted to speak to them about it. Tell your parents you have been thinking a lot about something, hand them your plan, and ask them to read the whole thing before making comments on it. Depending on your parents – be prepared for yelling, quick reasons on why you should change your mind, and lots and lots of questions like “how will you support yourself?” You may sense that they don’t believe in your plan, but keep assuring them that you have thought about it for a long time and it is what you are going to do. Tell them you are excited to show them how fulfilling your life will be when you pursue and reach your goals. Tell them they can be involved in your out-of-college venture by backing you up, and trusting in you. It is your life, and although they gave birth to you and want to set you on a path with the least failure, tell them they gave birth to a special baby, who is going to do great things in a special way.

Keep the idea of college around.
The smartest and most skilled people can fail. Keep going to college as a fall-back plan. You’re never too old to learn, and if you need to go back to school at some point, don’t be ashamed things didn’t work out. Luck just wasn’t on your side despite the amazing efforts, and the new portfolio you developed while out of college will get you into a great school and possibly with credits.

There you have it - the good and the bad to taking college, the thing that’s not for everyone, out of the picture. Now it is time for you to sit back and weigh out your risks. Once you make your decision, follow it, and follow it with excitement and a great work ethic. If you work hard and are excited about whatever decision you made, you will succeed. Take it from someone who did.

- TJ Jessep
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If this article inspired you, or if you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below!