Recently, a few people (mostly college students, some still in school) approached me with a single question:

“I am thinking about dropping out from college/school. Any advice?”

Now, I understand this question coming from college-goers. What I was curious about were the school students. I wanted to know where they are coming from, so I got on a call with a couple of them.

What I found out was really interesting. Suddenly, ‘dropping out’ has become ‘cool’. A status symbol. A way to show that you are ‘different’ from others.

“I follow XYZ on YouTube. He left college. Look how successful he is. I want to be like him.”, said one of them.

I found myself in a tricky place. I genuinely respected their drive and ambitions, however, at the same time I could not ignore their naivety and innocence.

Refraining from giving out any prescriptions and Yes/No Answers, I asked them to answer 4 questions:

Q1) Are you running away from or towards something?

I know what school/college feels like. Especially if you are exposed to the right side of the internet.

However, is it true that you hate school/college or is it your inability to thrive there that is disguised as hate?

Is dropping out truly a solution or just an escape from your problem?

Even if it’s an escape, make sure you are moving towards something.

You need not obsess over the destination, just make sure you decide on the direction.

Q2) How many comfort zones will you have to overcome? How will you do that?

Look. It’s not just your comfort zone, not just your limits that you need to overcome.

People around you, your parents, your friends, your girlfriend/boyfriend, or anyone you genuinely care about have a certain image of ‘you’ in their head. You will be pushing their limits as well.

For example, the image people had of me was of “an obedient, easy-going person who loves school and studies.”

To rebel against the education system was the last thing anyone would have expected of me. It was a cognitive dissonance even for them. And for most people, who already have so much chaos going on in their lives, this dissonance is difficult to handle.

You might ask: “Do I need to really care about other people? I just saw an Instagram Reel which said ‘REJECT SOCIETY!’ “

Understand, my friend. I am not asking you to take the burden of the entire world’s opinions on your shoulders. You still do what you want. Never compromise on that.  It is just that you make an effort to take your loved ones along with you on this journey. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Don’t fall for the easy path.

However, in some cases, this does not work. Never be afraid to move alone, whenever required.

Q3) What’s your leverage?

Build leverage first.

Understand how a lever works. Visualise.

It has two ends. You fix one end to the lower point and aim the other end to a higher point. Once support and stability are taken care of, you start moving towards the higher end. Once there, you gradually position yourself to aim the lever to the next target.

Leverage can be skills, money, business, past experiences, networks, absolutely anything. You just need one to start off with.

For me, it was my grades at school. “But Ronit, grades don’t matter in the ‘real’ world right? Look at all those influencers on Twitter. They are so smart…”

This is the exact time you cut through the noise, my friend.

Sure, the ‘numbers’ don’t matter. However, it was the work ethic I developed in those early years, in getting to those grades that acted as a lever. It was just a matter of transferring that from school to my next interests. I like to call these levers “Transferrable Assets”.

For you, this lever could even be building muscles, getting great at sports, music, or anything.

Q4) Love Or Fear?

If you would have met me 1 year ago, you wouldn’t have recognized me. I had just dropped out of college.

When I look back at the first 3 months, I was highly aggressive in my approach. It was not that I wasn’t doing great work or I lacked any passion.

It was just a matter of energy. At that time, it was all about proving things to my parents, and everyone around. That I was not joking. All that action was driven by ‘fear’. “What if my decision turns out to be wrong?”

As time went by, I became more self-aware. I knew what I was doing, and started caring less about proving anything to anyone.

Understand. There was no change in how I executed my work, it was just about switching energies, choosing “Love over Fear.” This might sound trivial, but the intention with which you choose to do anything matters. At least to me.

So, if you are honest to yourself with the above 4 questions, you’ll know what to do. You don’t need anybody’s advice.

Cheers! 🚀