Why Students Drop Out of University? Between Conscious Choice and Reaction to Overload

What lies behind the decision to quit studies?

Public opinion often interprets dropping out as a sign of laziness or lack of ambition. However, this perception has little to do with reality. The decision to leave is usually the result of accumulated difficult experiences and a feeling that continuing education no longer makes sense. It rarely stems from a single impulse – more often, it is a gradual slide into a sense of helplessness. Only a closer look at these motivations allows universities to create conditions in which students have a chance to regain their energy before the thought of quitting becomes the only option.

Increasing emotional burden

On many academic programs, the problem is not a lack of motivation but gradually increasing mental overload. Initially, students try to keep up with the program’s requirements, exam sessions, and lecturers’ expectations. On top of that, there are new relationships that, while potentially supportive, can also add pressure. For individuals prone to low mood, this pace quickly leads to a sense of exhaustion. Over time, even simple tasks – attending classes, reading a few pages of material – begin to require more energy than they can generate.

For many, this overload eventually turns into academic burnout. Often, it is not immediately visible – curiosity disappears first, then enthusiasm gradually fades, until every task demands more effort than the mind can sustain. Concentration falters, thoughts scatter within minutes, and ordinary duties feel like a weight that cannot be lifted. If this state persists too long, depression may appear, draining energy even for daily activities. In such circumstances, the decision to leave university can be a desperate reaction to overload – and while it provides temporary relief, it does not solve the underlying problem.

The clash between expectations and reality

Not every student leaves due to mental overload – sometimes the issue arises much earlier, at the first confrontation between expectations and reality. Many choose their field of study based on its name, friends’ stories, or family suggestions. They imagine fascinating courses and personal growth, but instead face a list of subjects that have little to do with what they anticipated. According to analyses by the Information Processing Centre – National Research Institute (OPI PIB), disappointment with the chosen field and difficulty combining classes with work are among the most common reasons for dropping out. Sometimes one semester is enough to realize that the curriculum and the actual content bear little resemblance to the idealized image of the profession.

The problem is not only the subject matter – often the way classes are conducted is an issue. In many institutions, traditional lectures dominate, course organization is poor, or there is an overload of material disconnected from practice. Gradually, the question arises whether it is worth investing energy in classes that do not contribute to a sense of development. For some, this is when the decision to change their field matures – not as an escape, but as a considered step toward a path more aligned with future plans.

Student financial realities

For many, starting university also means a complete restructuring of daily life. Moving to a college town involves monthly rent, commuting, food, and educational materials, each adding to a bill that must be paid regardless of academic progress. For families with limited budgets, these are not abstract numbers but real tensions felt with every purchasing decision. Even social scholarships or help from relatives cannot always absorb all costs – sometimes one unexpected expense can disrupt the financial plan within days.

In such situations, many students seek additional sources of income. Initially, work seems only to supplement the student budget to survive another month in the university city. Over time, however, the work schedule, rather than the academic timetable, dictates the student’s day. Balancing academic responsibilities with a full-time job becomes increasingly difficult, and switching to part-time study, though more flexible, comes with additional fees. At some point, academic development ceases to be the priority – maintaining financial stability becomes more important.

Gradual shift in life priorities

For many, university years are associated primarily with learning, but in practice they increasingly become a period of reassessing prior plans. With the first freelance assignments, internships in tech companies, or involvement in social projects comes the question of whether continuing education in the same format still makes sense. Some receive job offers, others develop online businesses or engage in creative activities that demand full attention. Eventually, being at university is no longer an obvious choice – it becomes just one of several paths to reconsider.

Sometimes, however, circumstances, rather than personal ambitions, determine the course. Serious illness in the family, the need to work abroad, or prolonged bureaucratic matters can prevent regular class attendance and prioritize other responsibilities. In such cases, leaving university does not reflect a lack of perseverance – it often demonstrates the ability to realistically assess one’s capabilities and act according to what is most urgent.

Studying with a young child – between determination and doubt

Parenting during studies is a daily balancing act between the desire to act and the feeling of fatigue. The thought of a diploma, the future, and not wanting to give up lingers in the mind. At the same time, every day tests all plans. One sleepless night, an unexpected doctor’s visit, an exam scheduled when the child most needs attention – these moments raise the question: is it really possible to combine everything? Does maintaining such a pace reflect ambition, or pressure that begins to take the joy out of both studying and parenting?

The hardest moments are not the duties themselves, but the moments of doubt. Whether anyone notices the effort or only sees absences. Increasingly, universities respond with understanding. Changing an exam date, remote learning options, or flexible attendance policies do not solve all problems but make the student feel less like an intruder at their own university. This alone can sustain belief that learning and parenthood can coexist, even if not always in perfect proportions.

Dropping out – choice, impulse, or escape?

The thought of leaving university rarely appears overnight – it is usually preceded by a period of growing discouragement that is difficult to immediately identify. Sometimes someone says, “I can’t handle it” or “This isn’t for me,” but such statements rarely describe the true source of the problem. Behind the feeling of overload may lie deteriorating physical or mental health, and disappointment with the curriculum can indicate uncertainty about the future. In such cases, quitting is not yet a decision – rather, it is a way to relieve tension whose source remains unclear.

Signals that the decision is deliberate include:

You have another option in mind. You are exploring alternative paths – considering a change of major, enrolling in a post-secondary school, or starting work aligned with your career plans.
You try to solve the problem first. You meet with the lecturer, schedule a consultation with a university psychologist, or ask for advice from close ones. Such actions provide a broader perspective.
You seek less radical solutions. You consider a dean’s leave, switching specializations, or changing faculties.
The choice is not impulsive. Although fatigue and discouragement appear, they do not drive the final step – it is a careful analysis of pros and cons.

If you notice that the decision is mainly driven by emotions and external pressures, it is better to step back. Hasty withdrawal provides short-term relief, but another wave of disappointment will likely follow. Thoughtful choices require breathing space, reflection, and a broader perspective on one’s life.

How to reduce the likelihood of dropping out

Staying in university is not only a matter of motivation. Even the greatest determination may not suffice without preparation or support. Therefore, it is worth thinking of the process as cooperation – the student and the university each have roles to play.

For students, the first crucial step is a conscious choice of study program. Instead of relying on intuition or popular opinions, it is better to base decisions on verified sources. Educational guides or articles on how to choose studies help clarify expectations and show how to match a program to your plans. Even more valuable are conversations with senior students – their experiences often reveal the gap between promotional materials and the reality of classes. Visiting a career office helps understand where specific specializations lead. The more knowledge you have from the start, the fewer surprises later.

However, even the best-chosen program does not guarantee persistence if the environment does not support learning. Open days for candidates, opportunities to observe teaching, and honest presentations of both advantages and challenges help future students feel like partners, not mere recipients of advertising. During the academic year, everyday support matters: access to psychological help, career offices, lecturers willing to talk. Small signals like these show that in times of difficulty, one does not have to quit immediately – and this is often what determines who stays and who leaves.

Crisis or the beginning of a new path?

In a world where university is still seen as an important investment in the future, leaving should not be viewed as a whim or failure. For some, it is a reaction to sudden overload; for others, the result of long reflection. In both cases, it is easy to succumb to emotions that obscure the core issue. The most important question is not “Stay or leave?” but “What goal does this decision serve?” Maturity shows when someone can distinguish a temporary crisis from a conscious change of direction. Dropping out does not always mean giving up ambition – it can be the beginning of a path more aligned with personal desires than with others’ expectations.

Sources:

Which Studies to Choose? Types, Duration, and Key Information for Future Students – CosinusYoung
The Phenomenon of Drop-Outs at Polish Universities – RAD-on: REPORTS, ANALYSES, DATA
Who and Why Drops Out of Studies? – Information Processing Centre – National Research Institute
Mental Health in the Academic Environment – Report, Challenges and Recommendations – Ministry of Science and Higher Education – Gov.pl
How to Ensure Graduation? Universities Fight to Keep Students – National Centre for Research and Development – Gov.pl