i dropped out of university... now what?

Dropping out of university was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, but I definitely think I made the right choice. Last September I decided to completely un-enrol in my University and take time to really figure out what it is that I want in life. I hope that you find some comfort in my story and you feel a little less alone if you're going through the same thing.

Much love,
Michelle:)

[MichelleGia]

hello my lovely people!! loooong time no see🥺 im so sorry for the time away, i miss you and i hope everyones been having a great holiday season. maybe not the update you were expecting to see, but heres what's been going on with me lol, hope you all enjoy<33

[kubii]

I relate. Your story hits different. every year i feel further, too old to still have no idea what I’m doing with my life. No career, no skills, no degree, no passion just utterly lost and completely useless. Feel like I’m letting everyone down while drowning in the judgement and criticism of people around me.

[msmajexo]

"Everybody's timing is different." Thank you so much for this. This vid was literally what i needed right now.

[Caribbeannking]

NORMALIZE COMMUNITY People will judge you for going, but you can graduate with less debt.

[blvnktek]

I remember telling myself a degree was not a guarantee to success ... I didn't really believe it back then, I was just kinda self-soothing, but after a few years I managed to reach 23-year-old me's goals 5-6 years later without the damn degree. Passion definitely helps but damn were there some doubtful days...

[DamnDemi]

I dropped out. I kind of mourned not being a student anymore & found comfort in realizing that I can learn anything at anytime. I got my degree, but halfway through post grad, I decided I didn't want to make maps anymore & had a complete meltdown.

[rebekkahill]

Went to uni to do chemistry when I was 18, failed 2nd year, then at 25 decided to pay £9000 to go back and do animal conservation science. In the midst of my placement year now and dreading going back for my final year. I am realising academia destroys my mental health and I want a more creative career. Never thought I'd seriously consider dropping out after all the money I paid but here I am 🙃 any advice?

[song]

Lots of us who were straight As students 'til HS, do struggle on college.

I dropped out after i lost financial support, because my grades lowered because i couldn't cope (with the schedules, hard topics, etc)...

Trying to look forward and find something profitable i can do, of the hundreds of topics i am good at. 🤣 But i am also an introvert with rejection aversion 😅

[manonj]

i can really relate with your story, especially the situation you're in right now. I dropped out because i failed my 2nd year of art school for many personal reasons. The pressure i feel right now, and for the past few months is really overwhelming. My parents keep saying that i have to find another school or university for next september to have a degree and a certification because they really believe that it is essential to built a carreer. And they don't undertsand my opinion on that. All the friends i had during these 2 years in school don't talk to me anymore and i feel like i'm just not normal anymore. I dont feel i belong somewhere and this feeling is terrifying.

Right now their only preocupation is me to get a job, just to make money and do something with my life.
I have to live with them because i dont have a studio no more, so im back in my old town. The only thing i do is making dinner, cleaning the house, car for all of my siblings, and i feel like i owe them all that things just because i live with them and i'm not into studies anymore.
I feel terribly depressed and i dont know what to do with my life. Living with my family again makes me feel like i dont really have time for myself to deeply think about my future, my life and my goals.

Sorry for my endless comment, and my bad english (i'm actually french)
loved the video

bye :)

[sacrilegiousboi]

In the past, a degree used to guarantee you access to well paid professional jobs, not anymore. If you're going into a STEM field or law/business etc. ofc it's a no brainer, a degree is needed, valued and everything you learn in your course will directly transfer over to your career. Anything else eg. arts, humanities, media, communication etc. you could go through blood, sweat and tears for 3-4 years, doing tons of essays and attending lectures on things that you will most likely forget afterwards and not even use in your career, end up thousands in debt with no guarantee it will ever pay off in the end. Internships, connections, work experience and practical skills will almost always be much more valued by employers than a degree in these fields.

[LaosHouse]

I finished community college and was going to transfer but decided to take a break. During that break, I found what I was actually passionate about. My advice, explore and take every opportunity given to you. You never know what can happen!

[mttknvlalp_]

There will always be a different version of myself every year and that is just life

[annanovakova]

"I was chasing title more than actuall carrier" 😮 Thank you for sharing, I feel the same, I have two more semesters to go at UNI, but I just cannot continue, because I feel so empty and depressed. You gave me courage to change it ❤

[heqeyhm]

I cannot express how much your video resonates with me. I'm a sophomore in university and I've never felt so lost in life. If it weren't for my good grades, I would have already dropped out of school. I would never have imagined that what I devoted all my time to would end up displeasing me, even disgusting me so much. I never projected myself elsewhere than in academia and the only thing that allows me to cling to my studies is the feeling they give me of being useful.

[Hart_cuds]

Felt this😭 10:00
Anyone who is considering college, give community college a chance than going to a four year university!! At least you'll be able to explore a little more during those two years of community college, be able to get an associate's degree or transfer to purse your bachelor's!! Best luck to whoever is reading this <3

[MattFive]

I relate to this a lot, I honestly think you're making the right decision. I stuck through university and got my degree only to realize It isn't at all what I wanted to do and for some reason I didn't see it or didn't want to see it. It takes a lot of courage to step into the unknown, It's probably why I didn't.

[fezii]

I dropped out of computer science this month. Man do I really relate with ya here. I'm going to join the Air Force now.

[ygirlang]

she’s back ✨ thx for being so vulnerable with us!

i can see myself in your story. for me, i loved doing everything and did well in school, but i didn’t excel nor was there one particular subject that i loved like all of my friends who knew what they wanted to do and did extremely well in. i decided to go into chemistry bc that’s what i 1. thought i wanted to do, and 2. i thought that if i chose a “science subject, ” then i’d get the satisfaction of approval from my parents, friends, society, and even convince myself that i’d be successful if i chose this route. lots of doubts, a few failed classes, and taking a year gap later, i am going back to school for something that i love. i definitely have had family member’s tell me that my subject is an art subject and felt doubtful, but i am so much more motivated to go back to school! i don’t blame my family for any their comments and their influence bc i know that at the end of the day, they just love me. to my surprise, my parents have been supportive throughout. i also was in a period of my life where my confidence was at a all-time low and that’s just to say that being in your 20s is about figuring yourself out, so… with all of that being said, i am in a better place now and so excited to go back to school after a loooong break. yes, i will prob graduate when i’m 27, but that’s okay! i can’t wait to see what the future holds for me✨

[dannyleo]

I dropped out of graduate school over 10 years because my mother passed away. I can definitely relate to you. Don't worry you'll be fine.

[rowenfara]

this video came at a perfect time for me.

i've been in a similar position. i was working hard towards my plan a but realized that it wasn't for me and was going to cause a lot more problems for me down the road if i continued and i knew i would not be happy. i felt, and still feel, quite lost. i'm very lucky that my parents are encouraging me to take my time and tell me that it is okay but it is hard seeing your friends that you went to high school with go through the rings and college and realize they will probably graduate before you do. for me, i always envisioned myself graduating early. so taking a semester off and waiting to transfer to uni has just lowered my spirits so much.

at the same time, i've done a lot of thought about the life i want postgrad and my ideal traits in a job and lifestyle. it makes me more confident in the sense that knowing this, i now know that there was no way my plan a would have worked out for me and it has helped me move on. but now i struggle with taking any step forward because im afraid nothing will make me happy, whether it be my plan b, c, d, etc.

hoping 2023 brings us all the clarity and hope we desire