It seemed like a good idea in the beginning, to attend a
four-year university and major in a career field that will hopefully bring in
some great money one day. However, all
that changed when present struggles called for immediate financial attention
and college, at least for now, would have to be put on the back burner. This is a reality for many recent high school graduates either about to attend college or recently signed up but now have to reconsider.
Students are
wondering where are they going to get the money next semester to attend since parents or guardians are unwilling to help or lack resources. How
are they going to finance their books and what can they do to start paying the
interest on those student loans that are already showing up in their mailboxes before they are even near graduation?
As the walls seem to close in around them, they will have to
reach a decision on whether to continue or to leave. The following information, broken down by
personality type, may help someone out there who is in need of an answer on
whether to stay or go.
The Transfer Student
You have transferred from one institution to another in less
than two years time and you are still unsatisfied with the institution you now
attend. You may have done this because
you felt pressure from those around you to stay in college when you rather
pursue other interests. You will need to
take the time to think real hard whether or not you are attending college for
you or everyone else. Don’t continue to
do something that you know you aren’t passionate about. You may desire to attend a two-year community
college, trade school, or attend college online. Consider how much it is costing you in
student loans, because you aren’t completely satisfied with your decision, once
you know what you want make the move.
You will be ridiculed and criticized for your actions by some family
members and friends, don’t take anything anyone says personally because they
most likely will not be around to help you pay the debt you already accumulated
in your name.
The “I Can’t Decide on a Major” Student
Whether you have been attending college for a short or long
time, you went into college wondering what you would like to study and still
you haven’t reached a decision. You have
changed your major so much that no one really knows what you are doing. Now is the time, to consider taking a semester
off and really taking that time to either decide what you’re passionate about
or find something else to do. If you
have someone else paying for college, it is best not to waste their money but
not having an idea what exactly you want to do with your life. When you are in the position where you have
to pay for your college on your own, you will be amazed at how dedicated you
will be to your major and you will not waste your own money or time jumping
from one major to the next.
The Party Student
You make more time to party then to study. When everyone else is studying, you are
planning for the next party to create, attend or invite someone to. You aren’t really interested in the
education; instead, you are more focus on the overwhelming opportunities to
socialize. Since that is your specialty
why not make some money off of the people you know. Utilize your opportunities to network to grow
a business. Many students have started
businesses in college later they dropped out to pursue their passion. Do the best you can to at least stay in
college long enough to begin a business; however, if you feel you aren’t that
disciplined to even try, why continue to stay?
Leave and get a job until you are ready to settle down.
The Lazy Student
Don’t feel like studying, joining an organization, attending
an event, volunteering or doing anything else other than sleeping, eating and
dating? You will need to evaluate what
your reasons are for attending. Have you
bothered to see what else the college is offering you to motivate you? Go to the student activities office for a
calendar of events, read the student newspaper, and take the time to read the
campus fliers, you will be surprised what is out there to enhance your college
experience. Otherwise, if you don’t you
will find yourself dropping out without giving yourself the chance to take
advantage of opportunity given to you.
The Pregnant Student
You recently found out that you are pregnant. You may have considered that the best thing
for you and your unborn child is to leave.
For some mothers that is not the best choice and you may be one of
them. Although it will take a lot of
dedication and hard work to stay in college through all of your symptoms, you
can do it! Some women are strong-minded
enough to handle schooling and pregnancy.
If you don’t have any health issues, doing exceptionally well and have a
support system around you, think about seriously staying at least until your
water breaks. The last thing you would
want to do is jump ship early and later regret your decision.
The Financially Broke Student
You have done everything to pay for college and have been
attending part-time for a long time just because t was easier to handle the
costs and keep a job. However, the bills
are coming in faster then the money and you are in danger of getting a negative
credit rating, these are sign that you might want to stop going at least
temporary or find some other way to get your career goals accomplished. You may have done everything you possibly could,
applied for grants and scholarships, took put loans, received a paid
internship, asked family for money, got a job, and joined a college work study
and you still keep coming short every semester, it is time to let go. In addition, you may be experiencing hair
loss, fatigue and many other symptoms as a result of all the stress -- nothing
is worth all of this pain and anxiety.
If you can’t resolve your issues and you have a faith, go to God with
your prayers and end the nightmare. Take
the skills that you do have and start looking for a job. Many people have made the equivalent if not
more than college students in various career fields. Why not get out there and start looking
before your friends graduate? You will
at least have your foot in the door before they come out and have more hands-on
experience. Not only that, some
employers don’t want to pay as much to a college student and would rather hire
someone they could train and offer a lesser pay.
The Burned Out Student
You bit off more than you can chew from the day you stepped
on campus your freshman year. You have
always been an overachiever, but now you have come to a place in your life
where you are just not happy. The
burdens you are carrying in your personal and professional life have come
overwhelming. It is time to make a
decision on whether or not you can keep this up. You have more doctors’ visits then anyone you
know and you are becoming very difficult to be around. There are enough signs around you that say,
“This season of your life is over there is something better than this out there
for you!” You will have to seriously
consider if you are still passionate about what you set out to achieve or have
you grown since you were 18 and have decided that maybe you prefer a simpler life,
less career and money driven. There is
nothing wrong with desiring one day to become a wife or husband and to have
children. There are a variety of ways to
become financially stable and seek those interests. Before, you find yourself hospitalized or
diagnosed with something that may cause your body harm due to all the stress,
leave. You can always go back on your
own time, not on the time of others.
Nicholl McGuire is the author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet?
