From life crisis to lifelong learning: Rethinking working-class 'drop out'

The impacts of working-class ‘drop out’
the work and I let it slip. I couldn’t figure either of them out really. So yes
my confidence did take a bit of a knock.
(Female)
For some students the depth of these feelings was evident. The following comment
was made by a student who was extremely unhappy at university to the extent that
she became ill with worry, but still felt that leaving had been damaging for her:
I am not a person who leaves things. I can’t come this far just to chuck it
away. I am not that kind of person. I was heartbroken. I was really sad
and I thought it was the end of my life.
(Female)
The way students feel about their decision is also affected by the perceptions and
reactions of others, such as friends, family and employers. Some students felt they
were letting not only themselves but also others down by leaving early. Many
students felt that, while their parents did not initially want them to leave, ultimately
they just wanted them to ‘be happy’:
How individuals perceive their decision to withdraw early changes over time. Clearly,
perceptions were affected by post-university experiences, for example what
employment they had been able to obtain or what other opportunities they saw as
available to them. The extent to which ex-students were in contact with other
students who were able to successfully complete their degrees also affected
perceptions of their own experience. Many students were not immediately able to
feel positive about their decision, but with time this altered. Others were initially
relieved to be out of university but with time they questioned their decision:
When I left I thought perhaps I ought to have stayed. Maybe. But given
time now I feel I have done the right thing. Now I can just move on and do
what I need to do.
(Female)
I was relieved. I had it niggling away at me that I didn’t want to be there.
Looking back now, I don’t know if I regret it. One of the boys who was
doing the same course as me; lives in the same street as me; we have
been friends all our lives, he is in his last year now. I do think sometimes,
if I’d only stuck at it.
(Female)
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