Words from a wallflower

Dropping Out

I have self-diagnosed myself with chronic senioritis. The aggressive disease has been raiding my body since I graduated high school, and in the brave decision to chase the cure, I have decided to drop out in my final semester of college.

Some people, especially my family, might say that this is ridiculous, encouraging me to keep fighting the disease while in school since I only have seven weeks left before I graduate, but to that, I say, watch me. I have one synchronous class two times a week right now. That’s 14 classes over the next couple months, where I will feel crippling pain. I think it’s better to choose my health over a diploma, especially considering that the treatment is a lot cheaper than college.

For years I’ve had people tell me that an English degree is a waste of time because you can’t do anything with it besides maybe teach, which will only lead to a mediocre paycheck. If I’m not going anywhere with my degree and going to school is only making my symptoms flare up, then what’s the point of finishing these last seven weeks? I’m already home, resting; I can just stay there for the next 20 years to make sure my chronic senioritis is truly over.

Besides, it doesn’t feel like it’s my last semester anyway being at home, so I’ll just make sure that it won’t be. Honestly, I’ve been hesitant to move on after graduation. The perfect solution is not to graduate.

Sure, I’ve already paid for over two-and-a-half years of college, and sure, I’ve already sent out graduation announcements and law schools applications, but life throws you curveballs, right? Not everything can adhere to a strict plan, and mine has changed. Maybe I will return to school some day, but it definitely won’t be until I have my senioritis under control.

The good news is that I’m going to finally have the time to reach my true dreams, the things I’ve always wanted to do, like catch up on shows. Why turn a tassel when I can just turn the channel?

I guess this means that this is my last column. It has been great working at the paper, but I must now choose to take care of myself and stick to my decision of dropping out.