By all means go ahead and drop out of your studies. But before you do so, make sure you can ‘drop in’ somewhere else instead, cautions Kerry Damons of Boston City Campus and Business College.
“You wouldn’t leave home without having an alternative place to stay,” she points out, “or leave your job without having found an alternative way to earn your daily bread. So if there is good reason to do so, have the courage to discontinue your present studies. But also be practical and have a plan of action for the future.”
Council for Higher Education statistics show that 40% of those who enrol at higher education institutions never get a qualification, while 50% of that same group will take five years to graduate. About a third of those assisted by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) drop out, with a further third completing their degrees much later than they should.
Half way through the year is the time when students start dropping out by the hundreds. They realise they have chosen a course of study which does not suit them. Others have run out of money and can no longer afford to continue studying. And then there are those who simply don’t have what it takes to pass the studies that they have chosen. Whatever the reason may be, this is the time of the year when dropping out escalates and students have to start over.
“Lets not pretend that starting over is easy,” says Damons. “But lets look at what you need to do to turn things around and succeed in starting over.”
Firstly you have to deal with your emotions because dropping out can be quite a traumatic experience that leaves you feeling like a failure and feeling lost. Damons suggests you get help in dealing with your emotions – you can speak to your doctor, your parents, friends, student counsellors and psychologists where necessary.
Then you need to get back to basics - take another aptitude test to see what other careers or courses would be well suited to you; go do job shadowing if you’re not sure what certain careers entail; and go see a trained career advisor to get objective career guidance.
Indeed, getting proper career guidance is crucial. In a study released at the end of 2011, researchers at the University of KwaZulu-Natal found that poor choice of careers, poor matric results, a lack of guidance or no guidance at all were the main reasons why students drop out.
According to Damons, you need to take a reality and an honesty check: shouldn’t you perhaps go back to school to improve your marks or go do a bridging course? Or maybe you’d be better off finding an apprenticeship or a similar learn-while-you-earn training opportunity?
“Honesty is the best policy,” she says. “Only you know what you are passionate about and what your dreams are made of. You need to choose a career and a course of study for yourself – don’t let others choose on your behalf.”
She also believes that it is best to enrol for further studying or training as soon as possible after dropping out so that you don’t lose heart or lose momentum.
“It helps you keep a positive outlook and not succumb to feelings of disappointment or incompetence,” she explains. “It is also easier to continue your studies while your brain is still in learning mode and a study routine is still second nature to you. Fortunately you can enrol for a considerable number of courses at this time of the year as many educational institutions like Boston, have mid-year registrations.”
Whether you have dropped out or are considering dropping out, Boston City Campus and Business College invites you to make use of its computerised career guidance programme, Career Compass so you can back on track with your studies.
Tips on getting back on track
Students that apply for admission at Boston City Campus & Business College will get a response to their applications within two working days. And those that apply long in advance for their 2016 studie…
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