What to do with a son who wants to quit college?

Help my kid wants to quit college and he’s not even done with the first semester. He has a full scholarship and picked a perfect program that matches his personality perfectly. He wants to quit and continue in his retail job where he will make $1500 a month. He just turned 18 and is clearly immature. What do I do?
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Technically he’s 18, so if he wants to quit he can. I would voice your opinions, that he would be throwing away a scholarship but ultimately you need to support him. I have wanted to be a veterinarian since I was probably 6 or so… once I started school for it I quit. It wasn’t what I wanted and it took me all that school to realize. Maybe he realized that isn’t what he wants to do anymore. He’s 18, a lot of 18 year olds don’t know what they want to do with their life… and it’s okay for him to take the time to figure it out.

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My son took off until he was 19 and just worked. He needed the break from school.

He is 18. Legally adult…not really much you can do.

College isn’t for everyone :woman_shrugging:

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Tell him he can ask his boss to work around his school schedule and he can continue working n do college but as hard as it is sometimes we have to let our children make their own decisions and they’ll learn one way or another.

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Sometimes kids need a year break of school after high school. Honestly let him make his own choices

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I started college at 26, he may just need a break from school.

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I’m a 37 year old female (mother of 4) who is about to start law school…. Everyone has their own time schedule. He might need a break from school. Having a full scholarship does make it harder but college is not for everyone. All you can do is support him in his decision and let him know you’re there for him no matter the decision he makes.

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College isn’t for everyone especially right out of highschool. He’s young I’d say let him move out let him pay his own way for a year and if he don’t like the struggle of living paycheck to paycheck he’ll go back in his own. But he likes retail try to encourage higher education though cause maybe he’s like a manager or corporate spot

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It’s his choice. I actually made the mistake of starting college classes before I was ready. The result? A 10 year hiatus. Im 28 year old and just now getting the ball rolling to go back. College is not the only way someone can make a living or a career. Just because it “fits his personality” does not mean it’s what he wants to do or what will make him happy. 18 is young when it comes to deciding what you will want to do the rest of your life. Would you rather him waste money on something he does not want?

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Honestly, there’s nothing you can do.

Main stream education isn’t for everyone and that’s okay.

If you keep making him feel bad about it and try to push him into it, you’ll just make him resent you.

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He can do what he wants. Let him see if that’s the right decision for him or not. And if it’s a mistake he will have to deal with it.

Best thing you can do I get to the bottom of why he wants to quit. Or why he thinks retail is better for him in the long run.

Make him pay rent and other bills.

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It’s his choice he’s 18 you can’t force him to go to college if he’s not ready to fully do it give him some time and space maybe he’ll change him mind later on down the road. I mean I know people who didn’t go to college but can still make good living.

He’s an adult. He can make his own decisions. While I totally understand your concern, the choice is ultimately his. Try to talk him out of it. But you can’t force him.

If it was all perfect for him he wouldn’t want to quit lol. I’d make him pay a lil rent tho to be honest :woman_shrugging:t3:

I would talk to him and see if he can at least finish the semester or this school year. Ask him how you can help. College is very hard for students who have poor habits or work too much. It’s a delicate balance. I work at a university and we have a college success course and the amount of students working in the community has risen and they all echo each other in our time management sessions. Complaint after complaint about managers telling them they are not being responsible because they can’t work the same hours they did all summer. My students are in both high school and college and honestly will find success difficult with more than 15 hours a week. My daughter was crying last night because it’s so much pressure being in college and owing for her car, insurance, cell phone, and laptop. I would do your best to ask questions and support. Make sure he understands what your requirements are if he chooses to drop out. Be clear about rent, car, chores, what he owes, etc.

If he likes retail see if you can push him to get into Costco. My ex husband made a career there. He started by stocking for $10hr right out of hs and makes almost 80k now as a manager with excellent benefits. I think now the starting wage is $15 or 16. It’s really a great company who takes care of their employees. College isn’t for everyone, my son is about to be 18 and is graduating this year. He has a 4.38 GPA and has been in JROTC and sports. He has decided to join the Marines, even with colleges knocking at the door. He has a great head on his shoulders and I trust his judgment. He’s done all of his research in all the branches (we are a military family) but in the end it is his choice. I’m just happy he and I have the kind of relationship that he wouldn’t make the decision without my blessing. He’s young and will figure it out. Good luck! Also, for perspective, at his age I was already a mom and working a full time job and trying to graduate hs. Be glad he’s not dealing with that.

Don’t waste money on college if he doesn’t want to be there. Let him make his own choices. Maybe he’ll want to go back later.

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Hes an adult. Hard, but his choice.

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You did your job and he has made it to adulthood. It’s no longer your decision. You can let him know you’re not happy with his choice but at the same time support him in whatever he chooses.

He sounds like he should have taken a year off between high school and college so he could mature. Let him work at a retail job and see what he likes.

Let him do it. Maybe he feels like the program he’s in isn’t what he wants, and he feels like he needs some more time to think

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It’s his choice. College isn’t for everyone, and he isn’t that immature if already has a job.
You’ll do zero good with trying to “make” him. He’ll flunk out regardless if he doesn’t want to be there. Also, there’s no TIME LIMIT on when you have to go to college/finish college.

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Seriously let him quit. I didn’t and I wanted to. I put in hardly any effort and wasted all that money barely scraping by. I didn’t even end up wanting to do what I went to school for. I’m not 31 and back in college and I have a 4.0 GPA and it’s something I want. College is very much so overrated. Especially at 18. Let him be an adult he can go back whenever he chooses and still get scholarships and federal aid.

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You let him quit, mumma. It must be so hard for you watching this fold out but he has to make his own mistakes :heart:

Maybe he just needs a break from school. Students that work a couple years between high school and college tend to have a better idea of what they want out of life and do better in school.

I’m gonna play devil’s advocate here, I wasted 80k on a 4-year degree, was unemployed for 6 months after graduating, have been at my company for 3 years now and I hate my job, I’m not using my degree and I basically only make $1,500 a month. Maybe talk to him about trade school, a 4-year college isn’t always the answer.

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My husband didn’t start college until he was in his 30’s. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do until then. Now he’s a heavy duty machinery mechanic. He graduated Magna Cum Laude last year.

I dropped out of college at 18, I had straight A’s in all 5 classes, then just dropped out. It’s not what I wanted to do. I wasted money, I wasted time. But 2 years later I found something I loved & went back to college! It’s all about the journey, and allowing young adults to figure out what they want on their own. I got a lot of shit for dropping out of college, but I’m so glad I did. Let him do what he wants, he will figure out his path in life with your acceptance & love💖

He’s an adult and sadly u have to watch him make these mistakes but from afar. Don’t allow him to move in and he will see that he can’t survive off of $1500 a month.
He will surly go back to college then😉

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As a mom of five one that’s about to be 18 fixing to do dual enrollment and take college classes while finishing high School I still advise you to let him take a break and don’t take it to heart if he decides to go back later in time then he can but ultimately he just spent 13/ 14 years of his life in school he probably needs a break, but with that being said he is also an adult if he’s living in your house I would say charge him rent, his car insurance, and phone bill, and if you would like to do like I do and put it all in an envelope with his name on it and when he moves out to his first house give it to him to go towards things he will need. I don’t know you but I know being a parent is as hard as much as rewarding and you’ve got him this far you’ve done amazing don’t beat yourself up!:heart:

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1500 a month isn’t a lot of money. Sounds like he plans to leech until its get uncomfortable and run around like a chicken with its head cut off finding his way. Do you want to deal with an irresponsible adult living at home? I’d Def be asking for rent and him to cover his own cost if he chooses to drop out and try to move back home. Talk to him about trade school. Talk to him about his plans to return to school. That little 1500 is going to be ate up once real life hit him. And a full ride is quite the opportunity. Put fire under him to get the moving because nope. You don’t want an entitled mid to late 20 year old demanding your resources while you should be looking forward to retirement.

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Don’t force him. Sit down with him to discuss and write down short term and long term goals. I remember as a young adult that was one of the most useful things a mentor helped me do to get focused on where I wanted to go and how I was going to get there.
College isn’t for everyone. Plenty of high paying jobs that are trade not College based.

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There’s no point wasting money if his heart’s not in it. I wish I’d waited. Maybe ask if he can defer a year? If he’s immature then he’s not ready for the responsibility.

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Let him quit. Let him build a work ethic and mature a little. I was forced to go to college but I wasn’t ready yet. I wasted a year of financial aid that I will never get back. Now I’m ready, I have built a work ethic and I know what I want.

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Don’t let him come back home, let him figure it out entirely… nowadays life is hard and these lil 9-5 jobs ain’t cuttin it no more! It’s those jobs that have actual diplomas behind them that are paying the bills. Ask him …does he wanna live or survive??? It’s that simple !

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College isn’t for everyone. My husband and I both did not go and we own our home and have two payed off cars. Amongst other investments and savings plans. I wouldn’t say him not wanting to go is immature necessarily. But him having a full ride would be a complete waist of his obvious ability to succeed in school! At the end of the day if whatever he really wants to do makes him happy that should be his choice. (My thoughts as a mother differ) If he doesn’t want to go to school I would expect a trade or certificate of some kind instead. But nothing at all seems irresponsible in the long run. Maybe make a spread sheet with all the “grown up” expenses he will have if he decides to only do retail.

Health Insurance
Car insurance
Car payment
Groceries
Rent
Utilities
Phone payment
Phone bill
Retirement plan?
Eating out and
“Fun money”

$1500 sounds like a lot of money to an 18 year old but throw in a girlfriend or wife and kids to the mix. That money will run out so fast he may see your side a little more when you break it all down in a way to make him see all that it takes!

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If he quits collage dont let him live at home & mooch off of you. He needs to learn the hard way that a retail job isnt going to pay the bills. He can kiss his free collage ride goodbye to if he quits.

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This is tricky. One, you want him to stay to gain as much as he can through college, plus he has a full ride!… but two, you don’t want him to end up resenting you for “making him” stay in college or not supporting him in his eyes.

Honestly, he’s 18. He can, technically, make his own choices. Maybe college isn’t for him. Yeah, losing a full scholarship would be a HUGE bummer for many reasons, but you also gotta let him learn.

I think laying out all the “adult expenses” for him to better understand what goes into being an adult financially couldn’t hurt. I also believe that, if you want to be supportive of your son, you can also explain options such as trade schools. There is NOTHING wrong with trade schools at all.

I think talking to him like an adult, explaining your concerns and hopes, as well as laying out what obstacles he could face in the “adult world” would be best to start.

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Hes an adult. If he wants to try and act like one off 1500 a month let him try. I feel as parents we are there to let our children do amd be there when things fail. Can he hold off for a semester

You can try and make him stay in school and you might succeed in forcing him to stay enrolled. But if he really does not want to pursue a degree he will end up on academic probation, and or flunk out. If he wants to work at his job full time because he thinks he is making good money at it then let him be grown, rent, car insurance, car payment, food, electricity, clean clothes are all his responsibilities. Have at it young man. I wish you well. Also he will loose t h at scholarship so if and when he decides he made a mistake by quitting college. Now he gets to pay for it with student loans that he will have to pay back. You can beg and plead til your blue in the face or you can take that step back and let him fail. Either way your setting a standard that will carry throughout his adulthood. Help him become self reliant in a way he learns to actually be self reliant and responsible or baby him right through your retirement funds and he still not be capable of being a reliable adult.

As much as you want him to say, schooling isnt for everyone and trying to make him do it is only going to cause issues

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Tell him to schedule his work when his not in school.

Let him. If he falls on his ass it’s a perfect life lesson, but he could very well thrive and move up the chain to a better position and more money.

Would be do better in s trade school?

He will regret this forever. A full scholarship?! I would talk to him more & find out why? I wish he could pause his life right now & see that this is a huge mistake. Life is sooo sooo hard & cost of living is not cheap, and retail jobs suck & won’t pay the bills.
What does he want to do as a career? You said he was in a program that matches his personality, what was it? I feel so sad for what you both are contemplating right now.

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I left college mid semester during my sophomore year and it was the worst mistake of my life. In the moment I thought it was the best choice for myself and I thought I knew what I was going to do with my life, but I was so wrong. If you withdrawal from college during the semester and you have been awarded financial aid, if you ever try to enroll back in college again, it is up to their discretion to give you financial aid or not. I just enrolled in college again and I have to pay it all out of pocket because the college chose not to award me until after completing 1 year. So not only did it hurt me financially, but it also hurt my GPA and that makes getting into a program 10x harder. I would at least try to get him to finish the semester out and if he still chooses not to go back then that’s on him. After awhile, he may get tired of working retail and want to go back to school. Thankfully there’s no time limit that says when someone should have a degree by, so maybe he needs time to figure out what he really wants to do with his life. There’s no rush! Another thing to consider is that college is a complete change of life. He may be having a hard time adjusting and that will definitely have him wanting to quit. Support him as much as you can during this time

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It’s his choice he’s an adult , but I would Make him
Pay rent and bills , then when he complains that’s he’s always broke till him that this is how living on minimum wage is

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Gotta let him make his own mistakes. I quit taking classes to get a break and now here I am 34 years old, active duty military and finally finishing my Bachelor’s Degree in a completely different major. I don’t regret my choice but I learned a good lesson from it. All we can to is support our kids but make sure he’s contributing to the bills if he’s staying with you.

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You NEED to saport what ever decision he makes.
He’s got a back up plan. So he’s not as immature as you claim he is. It’s his life and he’s the one living that life.

He should finish his first year. Especially since he got scholarships. College isn’t easy but what lesson is that quitting something. See it thru. Just my opinion

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We can’t do anything for you just like you can’t do anything to make him stay… is this your dream or his? :upside_down_face:

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It’s HIS life! NOT yours! Let him quite.

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If he’s immature, he may not be ready for college yet and THAT’S OKAY. I would sit him down and work out a budget for what he’s making (he’ll realize that 1500 a month won’t go far) and also a budget for how he will have to fund college in the future if he forfeits his scholarship now. He may legally be an adult but he doesn’t have the life experience to see the future implications of these decisions. And he will never get the life experience if you make these choices for him.

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Parents don’t have the right to demand their child goes to college.He needs to make his own path.We all have dreams and an ideal picture of what we want for them but part of being a parent is stepping back so they can start making their own decisions.He is 18 so tell him your thoughts but that you respect his decision and no matter what he does you will be proud of him.

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Maybe just let him do what makes him happy and pick his own journey.

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All because your son wants to drop out of school does not mean he is immature. He is 18 years old just got out of high school he may be burnt out on school he may need a break from school plus he has a job he is over the age of 18 you have no say so whether he goes to college or not and for you to think that your son is immature because he doesn’t want to go to school maybe it’s because of you he chose to already go to school cuz it sounds like there might have been some peer pressure from you to already attend school.

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You need to have faith in your child that he will make the right decisions for himself be supportive of his decisions no you might not agree but who’s to say he won’t succeed? You don’t need college to have a good life sure it helps but even if you don’t go doesn’t mean your immature and it doesn’t mean you can’t build a life for yourself

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He’s an adult, he can make his own decisions.

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She him all the bills show him how expensive it is to live off of 1500 and then sit him down and see why he wants to quite let him see how hard it is being an adult and find out why he feels the way he feels

You support and encourage him. I have twin daughters that just turned 18 and started college in August 2021. One dropped all of her classes and wants to start fresh in the spring. The other is only half attending her classes. They were going to school full time and working part time. The one wants to work full time and attend part time classes. Their father and I picked up paying their car insurance and cell phone bills while in college. I told them as long as they’re in college, they will live rent free at home and we will pay those bills for them. If they drop out to work full time, and live at home, they will each pay $300 per month, which would be their rent, utilities and food. I’ll be 40 soon, and I’ve dropped out of college twice in the past and recently went back myself. I don’t want them to follow in my footsteps, but I’m also not going to force them to go to college. Talk to your son. Maybe he wants to take a break from school. A gap year. Maybe the program he picked isn’t what he really wants to do. Maybe he would be happier with a trade instead of college. He’s an adult now, and while mentally most 18 year olds are still immature, he has to make his own decisions, what’s best for him and his life. If his choice is a mistake, hopefully he will learn from it. Your job as mom is to be supportive and encouraging, whatever his decision is.

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My second oldest son turned 18 in May. We were upset when he came to us and told us he didn’t want to go to college. However after speaking to him we realized that he was not mentally prepared to go to college. He is taking a gap year. He is working and doing other things to see if he can figure out what he wants to do with his life. We are fully supporting him and making sure that he stays on the right track. Not everybody is meant to go to college and I understand that he has a full scholarship and it’s just the first semester but college is a lot different than high school. Our oldest is 19 and he’s killing it in college but he’s always told us he wanted to go to college. The only thing I can say is support him and his decision talk to him find out if something’s happened or if he’s just not ready to be there anymore.

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you can express your discomfort but please support him regardless of what he chooses

Don’t push college on your kid. It’s HIS life, he can do whatever the fuck he wants with it. Don’t ever make him feel like college is the only way to be successful. He’s a big boy, he can make his own decision.

Sit him down and help him budget how much will be coming out of his pay every month and then do one about how much would be coming out of his pay if he followed through on college. If he is smart enough to get full scholarship he is smart enough to get the budgets and what direction his life will be going in

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Let him quit. You can’t make him want to go and if you force him go, it will cause more problems later. Not only resentment, but if he goes and fails his classes it will create a bigger hurdle if he decides to go back later.

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Let him. I didn’t finish college… hated it. And am doing wonderful for my life and family. College is not the only option.

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I would encourage him to see if his scholarship can be delayed. Perhaps delaying college for a year or two will help him see that 18000 dollars a year doesn’t go very far. But the more you challenge him, the more he will want to quit.

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Listen I went to college because my parents wanted me to. When I went to the bank to get a student loan they told me I was approved for a mortgage. I really wanted to go for the house but I took school instead. Well let’s just say I don’t work in the field I went to college for and cannot afford a house as prices skyrocketed. Just because you think this is the best thing for your son doesn’t mean it is.

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College is not for everyone. He may finish, be miserable, stuck in a job that was pushed on him and go on about his life feeling unfulfilled. Or you can let him quit. Go back to his retail job, which is a job that is beneath NO ONE, and let him figure out his own path and what makes him happy. You never know… he may go back to college later on in life. It’s never to late to build the life you want. He can graduate college at 23 or graduate at 33 and it will still be an accomplishment :woman_shrugging:t2:

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Let him do what he feels is right for him. He’s not a baby anymore and as hard as it is it’s time for you to start letting him make his own decisions. He likely feels it’s not for him. Not everyone is cut out for college. Just be there and support him in whatever he decides.

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College isn’t everything. What about trade school. Embrace his decision, don’t put him down. If he wants to work and make something of himself that way then so be it. Dont force your child to go onto college.

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He shouldn’t have started college so early. Kids really need to take a break in between high school and college.

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Let him . He may be just burnt on school

My son dropped out to work. :woman_shrugging: his choice. He pays us 400 a month and does his own laundry if I do, it’s 20 every other week(same as a laundromat, well cheaper actually) and he has to pay 20 every pay for me taking him to and from work.

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Allow him to
find himself. Many young folks are just not ready for college the
Minute they graduated. I speak from experience. My son gave college a shot left school to join the marines. Eventually became a state trooper went to college now has his masters degree. Best part of this is his thanking me for letting him find his way

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You need to listen to him. Can the scholarship be used toward other courses? He may be rethinking what he wants to do and this may be his way. Does his employer offer tuition assistance. Is he working towards advancement? These are all things to think about. My 18yo has changed course many times, and enrolled late because he couldn’t decide. He didn’t need to go to college but if he was not setting himself up for a path to secure his future he was going to be paying “rent” on top of the minimal other bills he has. You have to listen, advise and encourage but they need to do what will be best for them.

McDonald’s is hiring if he’s interested

I would tell him if he is not going to college he must pay you rent and living expenses. Also he needs to buy himself a car and pay his own gas. Let him see that his paycheck is not going to go too far. You should not be enabling him to quit college but paying all his expenses. If he received a full scholarship he must be able to handle the academic work. I would be very angry that he is throwing away this opportunity for a free college scholarship. Perhaos he could inquire if the scholarship.could be held to use next year if he decides to return to college. It might help if he talked to counselors at school about switching his major or area of interest. If he tried a few different courses he might find some other field that will set his interest on fire. Perhaps he should have done more research to find an area that he will enjoy and want to make his life career. Maybe he has not told you if there is another carrer that he is interested in.prepari g for instead of just taking any job to make a few bucks. He needs to look for a career instead of just another job !

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You let him quit? What kind of question is that :laughing:. First off he’s an adult. Secondly at least he wants to keep working. Not everyone needs a college education. If he’s happy let him be. I was forced into 2 programs I didn’t want to stay in. I rebelled so hard that after the second program I got myself kicked out of the program stopped working and became the biggest partier ever with my now fiance and am now going to be 22 next month and have 2 kids :blush: wouldn’t change my life for the world but my mama definitely hated the path I did choose after forcing me to stay in programs I hated and just working. Sooooo yeah

School isn’t for everyone!!! Let him live his best life!!!

Let him figure it out, mom! I ended up leaving school after my first year and did some soul searching, and decided to go back to school and am in the nursing program. Maybe he just needs some time to figure out what he’s passionate about.

Tell him to try it & see if he likes it first & if after the first year he still wants to quit then you will support his decision. My daughter wanted to quit also. I told her to give it a chance first. Now she absolutely loves it & thanks me for the encouragement.

Advise him 2 try a community college while workin his job…,comprise

College is a scam anyway the only way you’re really gonna get a job that matters if you’re like a super good engineer, lawyer, Dr, or become like a prestiges scientist. Other than that you do not need college.

Some just need to realize that college is not for everyone - and not everyone wants to attend college. And that’s okay! He’s freshly out of high school, then went straight to college, so perhaps he is burnt out on the schooling and want to take his time living his life? He may need a break from it, maybe he wants to enjoy himself and have fun for a while. There is no rush to go to college. If he wants to quit, then let him - support his decision.

So many kids finish college and still don’t find good jobs. Let him quit but after he has finished his semester

If he drops out? Will he inherit the debt? Since he no longer will be in college?

Make him finish the semester…if he is mentally stable to do so. Then have a sit down talk.
My son tried 3 times. It’s not for everyone.

College doesn’t guarantee anything, not stability, not happiness, not career opportunities. I encourage my daughter to follow her heart. If she needs a job to pay bill (we all do) work anything. Shit, McDonald’s is paying better than most jobs that require a degree and experience. Be supportive.

My family had a rule if I was in college I could live with them. If I dropped out I had 30 days to find my own place. I didn’t stay. Your house, your rules

Let him do what he wants to do it’s his choice at his age .

Coming from a college grad with debt. Went straight to college outside of high-school.
Smack him up side the head. Jokes.
Sit down with him and be like okay well if you don’t go to college you have to pay to live here because you are an adult now. And then go over the numbers that his $1500 a month will get him no where in life. After the cost of rent, food, car payments, gas, phone bill, etc. He has no money now. Talk to him about that. Everyone loves money. He’s worth more then $1500 a month.
If that doesn’t work, give him two choices, go to the college or he’s paying to live there. Rent, car, everything. No free ride at home.

He has a full scholarship, this could be his only security in life. If he doesn’t like it when he’s done at least he has something he can fall back on. Full scholarship means no debt. He has his whole life to find himself. A full scholarship doesn’t just come around once in awhile. You take what life gives you and use every opportunity. This is an opportunity in his lap.
Like others have said he’s an adult, college or pay to live at home or he moves out.
He’s an adult now.

Make him pay some bills/rent. Don’t tell him but put the money in a savings acc for him. If it works out and he realizes he needs to stay in college give him the money to buy a new car or something nice for himself for staying in school.

It’s not immature. Kids are told that they should know what they want to do after graduation. They haven’t or barely have experienced the working world. As long as they have a job don’t get all bent out of shape. While working they may find something that truly motivates them. Not all people are college material. Nothing wrong with a trade instead.

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