With the end of another semester just around the corner andsummer on its way, some University of Memphis students have decidedto "stop out" to avoid dropping out.
Most students do not drop out of college -- they "stop out" bysimply taking a break from school, said Barbara Bekis, coordinatorof The U of M Educational Support Program.
"Students at The University of Memphis stop out because theyoften intend to continue at a later time," Bekis said. "The reasonsstudents stop out are numerous."
Sophomore Frances Smith said she has considered dropping outseveral times in her four semesters at The U of M. Smith planned towithdraw from all her courses before the final drop date thissemester but couldn't go through with it.
"It is all so overwhelming," Smith, 19, said. "You come tocollege, and it requires a balancing act. You have to balancesocial activities, school work, family affairs, and for some, likeme, a long distance or local relationship."
Smith, an education major, said she feels a lot of pressure tosucceed because she is the first person in her family to go tocollege.
"That is part of the reason I stayed -- because I can't let myfamily down by dropping out," Smith said. "I would be lettingmyself down also, and I have come too far to give up now,
One of the most common reasons students stop out is the largeworkloads they have, Bekis said.
Other reasons for stopping out include not learning how to"learn the college way," Bekis said, adding that college coursestake more preparation and effort outside of the classroom to keepup than may have been required of the student previously. Otherstudents stop out to earn the money to pay for college.
"Their reasons for attending college don't change, it is justthe timing," Bekis said. "You will hear about money, debt, familyand even grades included in the reasons for stopping out."
Although taking a break from college is not suggested, it doesoffer students a few benefits, Bekis said.
"Returning to college after a stop-out, students are often moremature, goal oriented and focused on learning, instead of justgetting through the course to graduate," Bekis said.
No matter what comes up during college, students should try tocomplete their degrees, either now or later. Students can find helpwith their studies, or outside issues, like relationships orfinances at The U of M, Bekis said.
"Keep the dream," Bekis said. "It doesn't matter who we are orwhere we are, education feeds the soul."
