Your college student headed off to college with high hopes and aspirations.  They may have given it their best effort and something interfered, or they may not have understood what was going to be required.  Or it is possible that something totally unexpected has interrupted your student’s momentum.  Whatever the reason, it is possible that your student is now struggling and wondering what to do next.

Your student may be considering withdrawing from college — not at the end of a semester, but now, part way into a term.  You may be wondering whether they have options, and whether the choice to withdraw is the best decision.  It is not an easy question to answer.  You and your student should have some frank talk about their reasons and about the implications of their decisions.  We’d like to give you some food for thought — and for discussion.  You and your student will need to consider your student’s reasons for wanting to withdraw (or your reasons for wanting them to withdraw), some pros and some cons, and finally, some important things you’ll need to investigate and consider.

Why should your student withdraw?

There are many reasons why a student may need to consider withdrawing in mid term.  Your student may have simply discovered that this is not where they want to be and that they need a break from college, need to be closer to home, or need to be at a larger or smaller school.  Your student may discover that they aren’t ready for college — either academically or emotionally.  They may feel that they need a break from school entirely for a while.  Something may have occurred in your student’s life that is preventing them from being able to focus on school — an illness, an illness or death of a family member, or some other life occurrence over which they have no control.  Your student may need to consider a medical withdrawal for physical or psychological reasons.  Your student or your family may have encountered financial difficulties.

There are many reasons — valid reasons — why some students find that continuing, even for a few weeks to complete the semester, is not an option that they feel they can consider.  You’ll need to talk to your student about their reasons for wanting to leave school.

Are there advantages to withdrawing from school now?

For some students withdrawing before the end of the term may be the best solution.  If your student simply feels that they cannot continue, is too overwhelmed to stay at school, is not attending class or participating at school, leaving may be the best solution.  Although policies differ at different institutions, if your student withdraws from school before the end of the term, their transcript may reflect ”W” for withdraw rather than F’s for failure.  This may make readmission or transfer to another institution easier.  Also depending on school policy, and the timing of your student’s withdrawal, it is possible that some portion of tuition may be refunded.

Are there disadvantages to withdrawing mid-term?

Although there are some good reasons to leave during a term, there are also some disadvantages.  Your student will leave without having earned any college credit for the term.  You may receive some portion of tuition money back, or you may not, but your student will have earned nothing.  If your student can complete the semester, they will at least leave with some college credits to transfer to another institution or to have on their transcript when they return.  If your student can remain for a few weeks, and can accomplish decent grades, they may want to complete at least some college credit.  You also want to help your student be very sure that whatever they are feeling is not temporary.  The mid-semester time is often a difficult and stressful time for many students.  Help your student try to determine whether it is possible that they may feel differently in a few days or weeks.  Don’t waste the semester if things might get better soon. You and your student will also need to investigate financial aid implications of leaving during a term.  It is possible that they will need to repay any aid that they have received.

What should we consider before my student makes a decision?

Before your student makes their final decision, they will need to talk to some people at the school and both you and your student will need to gather information.

It is important that your student leave school with a plan if at all possible.  They need to think about what they will do next.  Will they return home?  Will they need to get a job right away?  Do they plan to return to school or transfer to another school?  What will they do in the meantime?  Withdrawing from school does not indicate failure, but your student may feel as though they have failed if they do not have a plan.  Help your student decide what is next.

Your student should ask the college some important questions:

• Is there a deadline for withdrawing from the college?
• Is it possible to get any tuition refund?
• Is any housing money refundable?  Was the housing contract for the semester or the entire year?
• Will any financial aid need to be repaid?  Is there a grace period?
• When will repayment on loans/aid begin?
• Is there any possibility of finishing any coursework remotely from home?
• Will it be possible to be readmitted later?
• Are there any other options — such as a Leave of Absence or Personal Leave?

For some students, leaving school quickly or immediately is the only option — and the best option.  You and your student will need to decide whether leaving or finishing is in your student’s best interest.  You will need to talk openly and frankly about the issues.   Consult with someone at the college to be sure that you have accurate information about options and implications.  Help your student understand — and believe — that there may be many paths toward their ultimate goals.

Related Posts:

Help!  My College Student Wants to Drop Out of College!

Parenting Your College Transfer Student: The Decision to Transfer

What to Say to Your Student Who is in Trouble, Dismissed, or On Probation

Helping Your College Student Avoid “How Do I Tell My Parents?” Fears

Should My College Student Consider Withdrawing from a Class?