Do you sometimes think you should've dropped out of college?
960608
For a while after I got my B.A. (in English Lit) I felt like I would have been about the same as I ended up, at least economically.  I did learn a lot of cool stuff though...  \n\nAfter 5 years, I went back to school for my Master's degree, which I couldn't have done without getting my B.A.  Now I'm in a much better situation than I could have been without going to college ( I make about 3 times what I was making when I finished undergrad), and I do what interests me.\n\nSo at this point, I'd say it was definitely worthwhile to stay in school.
507749
It's funny you ask that now, I happen to be 26 and my 18 yealr old sister just graduated from high school, I also graduated but by a hair. I got pregnant about a year after and never got around to focusing on further eduacation. SInce then my family has been my #1 priorty and barely have time for work, let alone a school and/or career. The #1 regret I have was not taking full advantage of school and the eduacation, I was a slacker, a skipper and not involved in school activities. Now I see my sister and she did it all, cheerleading, has a 3.9 GPA, missed only 2 days of school since kindergarten, I mean, she enjoyed every minute of it. I sure as hell wish I did. I would have done soo good and tried hard to get a scholarship and so on. \n\nBut, you play the cards you deal yourself and make the best of it. I don't regret my family at all, but had I to do it over and knew what I know now, then I would be a totally different person.\n\nThanks for that question, I enjoyed answering it.
159766
I would think students drop out of school for many different reasons. There's severe family crises, which create difficulties for one to concentrate in school. Some drop out of college due to financial reasons; balancing work and school can be very hard. Some people decide that they need time off to discover themselves first by working, going into the military, or traveling. An accident pregnancy can prevent one from finishing school. Some people just do not care about school, and let themselves fail, which, ultimately leads to dropping out. Though there are also just some that believe school is too much, and that they are not smart enough to continue... I'm sure there are a lot more reasons, but here's just some thoughts?
770763
maybe you should stay in school
89621
Well, I am only 26 and I wish I had taken college more seriously.... I graduated, but not with a super high GPA and it made it very hard to find a job.
896118
I did way too much too young, but I don't regret it because I think it allowed me to get it out of my system young, and then able to focus on real things that matter at the proper age (when I was in college). If I had delayed my wild years until college, then I might have dropped out or done something horrible. As a young teenager though, in high school, things mattered less and you can get away with more without it totally ruining your life... this all depends though, I am just speaking about my particular situation. \n\nI also don't regret those experiences because they brought me to where I am today and I am happy where I am. Those experiences brought me more wisdom and a feeling of satisfaction and completeness. If I hadn't done all the things I did I might always regret not doing enough and wonder what it would have been like to be a bit wild. I get a feeling of panic when I feel that I've missed out on something, much more so than I ever feel panic over doing something dangerous. I am very impulsive and CANNOT walk away regretting I hadn't done something I wanted to do. It would drive me nuts to live that way.
965389
I wouldn't suggest dropping out if that is what you are considering at this point.  However the above answers are very accurate. \nHigh school can be difficult and provide challenges, but it also a very good experience that young people should have.  If you are struggling, there are ways to get help and bring up your grades.  If you still can't manage to bring them up enough upon graduation to be accepted to colleges, you can also take courses afterward to prepare you for college in most communities.  These are also considered when you apply to schools.  Dedication is important as anything else ;-)
1112867
In my ideal world, I would have stayed in college meaning I would have been done a long time ago. Right now, I plan on graduating December 2007 with an associates degree. Of course I want to fulfill my dreams and ambitions, that is what is driving me and motivating me to finish school.\n\nRight now, I feel that I am headed in a very good direction. I have a job, albeit a fast food job, but a job none the less. I plan on looking for a job after the new year in the profession that I'm majoring in in school.
1104201
Not studying and getting a proper career.  Not being trained for anything or getting any qualifications when I left school.\nI did some studying later but would have been better to have studied and gained qualifications when I was younger.
81325
I have an 18 year old step son who just dropped out of school at the beginning of his final semester of his senior year.  Dumb, dumb, dumb...  He is living with friends - has been through 3 jobs in 6 weeks - and has no vehicle any more because he couldn't pay the repair bills.  You can ALWAYS go back to college, but you can NEVER resume your high school career.
1124725
College may not be the best choice.  Save your money, trust me.
413638
I agree! Get your GED and then go to college. Why be a drop-out????
1009876
If you are referencing attending college away from "home", I certainly would 'again'.  The best experience I had was leaving 'home' and family, safety and security, and learning what what it was going to be like to become an independant, young woman.  I made many mistakes - but I had a foundation which kept me solid - and a personality to help me stretch, and a God who protected me from the crazy stuff that could have taken me out.  Go - and be challenged!
441987
When I was nineteen, I dropped out of college temporarily. Waiting tables and selling menswear for a semester was plenty for me to decide to be more interested in my studies. \n\nI am guessing that you do not live in the US, that in fact you live in a place where dropping out of school for a while and changing your major are not common. It may even be the case that you did not choose your course of study. That would change the advice anyone would be able to give you.
604869
I got out of high school thinking I knew a lot.  I went into college expecting it to be easy.  It wasn't.  Fortunately I pursued an engineering degree in computer science.  It took a while longer than I would have liked, but I'm very glad that I completed the degree.  Many of my friends left college before they finished.  I'm glad I stayed, today I can easily ask for twice what they make.  And those of my friends who continued through graduate school are making even more money, and have nicer jobs with nicer offices, and are allowed to come and go as they please, they get bonuses, respect, and they are working on things they find interesting.  I've been working on finishing my own graduate degree, again in computer science, and I hope to be done before December.\n\nGo to college, and work hard.  It will be hard, and often depressing, especially as you see yourself struggling while your friends out of college appear to be doing well.  But in the end it pays, big time.
443241
I dropped out of high school at the end of my final year due to my teachers not wanting to teach me and me wanting to get "youth" out of my system. I travelled and worked in various jobs and really enjoyed life experiences till around 26 when I got married. My lack of finishing school never bothered me until I wanted to get a better job in healthcare. So I finished as a mature student and studied part time for threee years finishing 5 diploma courses and having that recognized as credit towards a Bachelors Degree which I have now finished at age 34. I learned more faster and more thoroughly as an older person as I had the distractions out of the way. I believe you are under way too much pressure way at far too earliy an age to decide at 17 what you wanted to do for the rest of your life.\n\nCraig - Naturopath
339905
you might be too young unless you are in college