College Dropouts
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Sometimes, the admitted student may not have selected the right institution or may have decided by default. They could lack motivation, be stressed, be financially strapped, or fail to meet the minimum qualifications to move on. Although many colleges have strived to give them a second chance, it may be too challenging or not the right caliber of student that the college wants to retain. This often creates a paradox as colleges seek to raise their student retention rates, yet suffer the consequences of student dropouts.
When I was a college student, professors focused on challenging students by flunking those who found the college experience overwhelming or by making testing and memorization too rigorous for those who could not make the grade. They didn't always realize that college should not be a competition for achieving the highest GPAs but a place to motivate and educate students, even those who needed extra help, yet were not ready to confront the challenge. The reality is that many of today's students may not want to remain in college or know what they want to do when they grow up. Therefore, it makes little sense for families to incur costly college expenses and long-term debt that may not lead to a specific or successful career path upon graduation.
Case in point is understanding the definitions of education and learning.
Education is receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. Learning is acquiring knowledge or skills through experience, study, or teaching. That is why college is just one way to gain an education and a diploma. It is not the only avenue for lifelong learning, career success, or financial success. Students need extra effort and mentorship to open different doors and find the best path to pursue.
I chose the picture above this article to show 3 of the most famous college dropouts that made it big. Whether it was their determination, vision, genius, the discovery of untapped opportunities, luck, or the fact that college limited their creativity, dropping out did not impede their future greatness. Granted, not all college dropouts will make it big, but there is hope through lifelong learning, apprenticeships, the military, trade schools, working your way up an employer’s career ladder, or learning a new trade or skill.
Remember that we live in one of the greatest countries in the world. It flourishes when the need arises to replace retired workers, discover new businesses, or challenge others willing to learn new and exciting skills to keep up with a constantly changing world. Not all these opportunities emanate from a classroom but from the real world, which may need trainable workers like you.
Just keep the following points in mind:
• Do not feel bad or defeated if you are a college dropout. Believe in yourself and never give up!
• Dropping out may have little to do with your intelligence, talents, abilities, or long-term potential. Lifelong learning is what will make the difference.
It may be a blessing to relieve the stress, knowing the pressure to succeed is off.
• Dropping out closes some doors to careers that require college degrees. Yet others open when you realize that many great careers and self-employment opportunities require hard work and determination, but not a college degree.
• Don’t think about being a dropout as much as finding the right path for doing other things that complement your skills and talents.
It does take
"Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
-- Winston S. Churchill