Once in their lives, everyone thinks who they will be in the future. Some people have determination and motivation to graduate the college and hence they are successful, others do not have these characteristics and opportunities to complete the college and hence they are not that lucky. Some of the students start their college and find that they do not have the desire, ability or discipline or they lack the preparation to succeed in their studies. They feel that they cannot continue in the course of action until the time they can earn a degree. These people are often never fulfilled in their lives. This arises the dilemma in them: whether they should look for some support that may help them to continue or should they dropout. To avoid any regrets in the future, people should think about the causes and effects of dropping out of the college.
The number of dropouts from college in the United States is immense. This negatively impacts the life of all those who drop out as well as impacts the society as a whole. The outcomes of dropping out from college can be may like high unemployment, an increase in mental health problems, higher crimes, health issues, an increase in demand for welfare assistance etc..
There are various causes due to which students drop out from colleges. The first cause can be maintaining the balance between the study and the work. Often, what happens is students who are working while studying break barriers of acceptable working hours which makes them tired and they are not prepared for the classes. Due to such hard time at college, they drop out of it. Sometimes unexpected personal problems are also the cause of dropping out of college. Another reason for students quitting the colleges is financial problems. Because of economic crisis, some parents do not have sufficient money to pay for colleges.
Consequences of Dropping Out
For whatever reason, the students drop out of colleges, they have to face the consequences of dropping out. One of them is the negative economic impact that dropouts have to face for the rest of their lives. There is so much difference between the wages of college graduates and college dropouts. Not only earning is affected by dropping out, but it also has an impact on whether the individual will get employment or not. Following are some of the effects of dropping out of college:
Degree-Dependent Careers: Students who dropout from college does not have any career degree and thus their career potential is limited. For example: to be an elementary school teacher, the bachelor's degree is a must. Also, not having higher education degree effects their annual income.
High Unemployment Rates: The unemployment rates are above-average for College dropouts. As reported by 'The Wall Street Journal" in 2012, the college dropout applicants, emerged as the majority of unemployed job seekers at 52 percent. Unemployment rates for degree holders were 4.1 versus 9.8 percent for college dropouts between 25 to 34 years of age.
No Second chances: Dropping out from college often means no second chance. Who so ever try to return to the college for completing his/her education face long odds, like financial problems, an issue in balancing family, work, studies etc. They also find the lack of flexibility as one of the major concerns. It has been observed that many students who return to college for completing their education, end up quitting yet again.
Adult Psychological Functioning: There is a negative impact on Adult Psychological Functioning due to dropping out of college. The individual's self-esteem and self-worth are lowered, also, the coping mechanism is disrupted and they have to face new expectations like finding employment, home etc.
Family Matters: Dropping out of college does not affect the individual only, but parents and other family members are also affected by this decision. Parents get worried about their children's future and financially and emotionally supporting their child into adulthood.
Conclusion
In the conclusion, it can be safely said that dropping out of college has so many negative impacts on the life of the individual. The earning problems and labor market persist for dropouts for their entire working lives. Low income also has adverse results on their marriage behavior. Considering all the negative impacts discussed above, the students should think wisely before dropping out of college.
Works Cited
Casselman, Ben. "The Cost of Dropping Out." The Wall Street Journal (2012): 1-2.
Heibutzki, Ralph. Effects of dropping out of College on Students. 2016. <http://education.seattlepi.com/effects-dropping-out-college-students-1103.html>.
Kronick, Robert F. and Charles H. Hargis. Dropouts: Who Drops Out and Why--and the Recommended Action. Michigan: C.C. Thomas, 1998.
