How to tell people you dropped out of college?

[Anonymous]

I recently dropped out of college. I wasn't that great academically, far behind on credits, lost passion for my major, and there were some financial concerns. Currently working an entry-level job, but the most important thing is that I'm happy for once.

Friends my age are going to graduate in 8 months. I barely had 2 years done. Right now I lie to people when they bring it up, but eventually I'll have to tell the truth.

How do I say the truth without looking like a total loser or a failure, because that's what I feel like now. Should I just get a whole new set of friends who won't see me as a waste.

[UncleScrooge]

Yeah, getting a whole new set of friends just to avoid telling your current ones that you dropped out of college sounds like a sensible idea...

You don't have to tell anyone unless they ask, and if they do you really don't even have to mention dropping out; you could just say that you're working on a career now (I assume that's what you mean by "entry-level"). There's no shame in that.

I don't think you should drop your friends simply because you're intimidated by their academic achievement (or rather, the fact that you chose a different path). If you really wanted to feel good about yourself, you could go hang out with homeless people and drug addicts, but that wouldn't be very helpful, would it? They're probably not nearly as judgmental as you believe them to be. How about you try telling them the truth instead of just assuming that they'll consider you a "waste"?

[martyfellow]

You'll need to drop some of yur friends who will be hung up on their status (!) as college graduatres. Most of them will understand why your dropped out, sinc ethey probably thought about it themselves.

Remember Steve Jobs was a dropout.. you can always throw that at them if they criticize you!

[Asker]

i don't want to compare myself to steve jobs or anyone but just say that my decision was best for ME individually

[martyfellow]

Yes, it's yur own decision, and people should respect that, but some of your current friends won't. That's why you lie to them now, I suppose.

[snowangle]

Well, what was your reason for dropping out?

I dropped out of college too and I was embarrassed to tell people. I got through it just by telling people the truth: I couldn't handle the pressure and demands of Nursing school and the stress was making me depressed and physically sick. So I dropped out to save up money and try to figure out what else I can do with my life.

It turned out okay. My friends could tell I was in a bad place and they stuck by me even though I made that decision.

[TheoryOfAvarice]

Explain yourself confidently when you tell people that you dropped out.

Don't act embarrassed or try to defend yourself before anyone even comments or asks questions - it will only make you seem like it's not a decision you're happy with. And from what you've described here, it sounds like you are happy with your choice. So just be straight with people and they probably won't make it a big deal or think you're a waste or whatever.

[Asker]

true. being defensive or angry about will acheive the opposite effect. but what exactly should I say. perhaps "it wasn't really providing me with what *I* needed"

[TheoryOfAvarice]

Yeah sure, like I said just be honest about why you made that choice. If you weren't into your major and didn't feel like college was taking you anywhere, that's understandable. Especially if money was an issue.. I knew exactly what I wanted as far as education and stuff went when I was going into college, but I can imagine it would be frustrating if nothing you were studying was stimulating you and meanwhile you're spending all kinds of money for pretty much nothing..

[TheoryOfAvarice]

So, maybe you could say that since you weren't passionate about your major anymore, you didn't want to waste time / money during that time when you didn't know what you wanted to study. It's always possible to go back to college.. you could say that you plan on going back eventually, even if that's not true right now you may change your mind later on and people will probably bother you less about it if they hear that.

[Stacyzee]

You still have ambition, it's just that College was not for you.

Not everyone is a great test taker and can handle the pressures that come with it.

The most important thing is passion, and you found it in something else.

As long as you have goals you are working towards you should not feel any less.

I suggest bringing things up when you have achieved the goal you desire.

[yaddayaddayadda02]

Just say you changed your mind and decided to pursue a career. say you didn't enjoy college. Neither are a lie.

When they're paying off their college loans for the next 30 years see how happy they are

And lastly, stop comparing yourself to others..just focus on your success.

[WoIIie]

If they don't ask, you don't tell.

And why are you bringing up college anyway? It's in the past and you failed at it. Who in their right minds would introduce themselves and start off with what they DIDNT succeed at in life? Focus on what you enjoy and what you do well. Focus on now.

[gonyr]

You don't have to explain anything. You can say what your doing and your enjoying it

[COCOCHANEL]

i just say that I attended but do not mention that I didn't graduate.

it actually doesn't come up very much.

never felt embarrassed about it.

[Anonymous]

Aww man I feel for you and have been in the same spot. Just tell people you are close to graduating but taking a break. Take one class a semester at night and when you finish you finish. Best of luck man and don't be down on yourself. Good luck

[Anonymous]

Just keep in the closet