Over 6 million Californians under the age of 65 stopped out — or, as it’s better known, dropped out — of college, and more than a third currently enrolled have considered dropping out in the past six months, according to a study from College Futures Foundation and Gallup.
Students who are enrolled and those who have dropped out cite job prospects as their top reason for enrolling. Over 9 in 10 of those currently enrolled — and 8 in 10 of students who are considering dropping out — feel confident that they will graduate.
To explore how university students feel about being enrolled and dropping out, EdSource’s California Student Journalism Corps asked the following questions at seven California colleges and universities:
A new Gallup poll has found that more than 1 in 3 currently enrolled California college students (36%) have considered dropping out in the past six months. Have you considered dropping out of college while you’ve been a student here? If yes, why?
— Josephine Murphy
(Click on the names or images below to read what each person had to say.)
“I’ve considered it, although it’s not the best idea. I’m trying to graduate in four years, but things get tough.”
Tringali has been a full-time student for the past two semesters but said he is getting a lot of pressure at home.
“My parents want me to work. This is my first semester actually driving myself every day, so that’s been an added stressor in my life.
“I feel like I could use a break, but also like I gotta keep going.”
— Matthew Echavez
“Yes, because, well, you hear people say that college is a scam because it costs so much money. I’ve thought about dropping out and getting into a different career, getting a certificate, and becoming like an electrician.”
Zavala’s committed to earning his degree, however. “I do plan on staying and finishing, though, because I’ve already put a lot of time into college — might as well finish it.”
— Vanessa Gomez
“No, I’ve never considered dropping out. I’m a first-generation college student. Being Asian American, dropping out was not in my mindset; I needed to go to college.”
It’s not been without its challenges. “Was it stressful? Yeah, it was. But I never thought about dropping out. Maybe it’s having a survivor mentality coming from immigrant parents, so I want to make them proud.”
— Vanessa Gomez
“No, I really, really just like learning, and I really do want my name on a piece of paper.”
The feeling, Hall added, comes from more than just wanting a secure future. “I want a bachelor’s degree, I want a doctorate, I want an advanced degree. I’m just really motivated, and it’s not just for my future — it’s just who I am, I guess.”
— Vanessa Gomez
“I sometimes feel like I’ve taken (on) so much course load — I just don’t know if I can take it all.”
Moua has suffered from “imposter syndrome.”
“I have considered, like ‘Oh, is this the right route for me? Is this the right choice?’ I don’t know. Sometimes there’s too much. It’s too stressful.”
— Raina Dent
“I’ve taken semester breaks multiple times. When I would go to work, my manager would be appalled (at) me going to school and work at the same time.”
Lopez took off two semesters before returning to school. “I would either do an online class (to stay enrolled), and then I have something that needs to be done. And then I’m working at night, and (my employer) would want me to prioritize one or the other.”
He has already earned several associate degrees and certifications and hopes to earn a doctorate one day.
— Matthew Echavez
“I don’t feel enough pressure or stress to think I need to drop out. I’m really enjoying my time here, meeting lots of new people (and) enjoying classes.”
— Raina Dent
“I go to UC Santa Barbara, and I just love going to school there. Classes are great, and the environment of being in college is really fun.” Cooper said that the campus culture — and the beach — have made her college experience really enjoyable.
“I don’t want to leave anytime soon.”
— Raina Dent
“Yeah, I have considered.
“I have anxiety, and it comes up as an intrusive thought where if I feel stressed, (I tell myself) I could drop out and then I wouldn’t be stressed.
“Though, then I usually find myself feeling like, ‘What is that going to solve?’ I can think of all the options out of a stressful situation, and dropping out is an option, though I don’t think I’d take it.”
— Brett Tatge
“No, never. My parents are big proponents of higher education.
“My mom was a first-generation college student, and she attributes her college education — she actually went to Scripps — to lifting her out of poverty and basically enabling for me to come to a school like UCLA.”
Donnelly said that while he believes his parents would not let him drop out, he himself has never considered it either. “It’s never been a thought in my mind.”
— Josephine Murphy
“There were times that I would be like, ‘Should I be here?’ Do I deserve to be in this university? But I never actually thought of going through that action.”
Garcia said being enrolled in a university, especially UCLA, can be “mentally draining,” and that college brought new experiences and challenges she had never had.
“It was a humbling experience, but I think that it makes you a stronger person. So I think even though I have considered it, I wouldn’t consider it now.”
— Josephine Murphy
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