The Dropout Dilemma: Chasing Money Over Degrees and the Risk of No Backup

In today’s world, opportunities look bigger than ever. Every time a young person opens social media, they see a teenager becoming a millionaire, a college dropout building a startup, or an influencer who “made it” without a degree. These stories spread fast, and they stick in the mind. Slowly, the message forms: maybe formal education isn’t needed anymore. Maybe there is a quicker way. Maybe dropping out is the real modern path to success. This mindset is becoming so common that many students no longer see education as a steady ladder. Instead, it feels like a slow, old-fashioned path while the internet is a rocket ready to take off. But behind this trend lies a deeper psychological dilemma. Many students are not rejecting education because they understand the risks. They are rejecting it because of pressure, fear of missing out, and a belief that success happens instantly. 

The first reason students turn away from degrees is comparison. Seeing someone their age earn more in a month than their parents do in a year creates a strange discomfort. It becomes hard to enjoy studying when another teenager is driving a luxury car. The brain reacts to these images by boosting desire and lowering patience. Students start to feel like they are already “late,” even though they are barely adults. Psychology calls this “time pressure illusion.” It makes people feel they should achieve everything quickly, even when they aren’t ready. 

Another reason is emotional exhaustion. Many students come from families where education is filled with constant pressure. Marks, expectations, and competition turn learning into a burden. When they see an influencer living freely, without exams or textbooks, it looks like escape. The dropout fantasy becomes a symbol of release. The promise that life will be easier without assignments and deadlines feels tempting, especially when the mind is tired. But what often remains hidden is that most of these success stories online are unusual cases. For every one dropout who becomes rich, there are thousands who struggle silently. 

Social media shows only the wins, never the failures. A teenager starts believing that quitting studies is equal to beginning a successful path. In reality, for most people, it closes more doors than it opens. There is also a scientific angle to this trend. The teenage brain is still developing, especially the frontal lobe, the area responsible for judgment and long-term planning. This means students are more likely to take risks without fully calculating the consequences. The excitement of fast income overrides the need for stability. Impulsiveness feels like confidence. The problem is that life does not reward impulse as consistently as it rewards preparation.

Money has become another psychological trap. Teenagers often think earning early is the same as earning forever. They don’t realise that industries change fast, social media trends die out, and without skills, it becomes hard to adapt. Many students who chase fast money enter unstable jobs, side gigs, or informal work. These earn for a short time but offer no growth and no protection when something goes wrong. The real danger begins when there is no backup plan. 

A degree is not just a paper; it is a safety net. It represents resilience, training, and the ability to stand on your own feet even when dreams fail or slow down. Without this foundation, a person becomes dependent on luck or situations they cannot control. Life becomes unpredictable, and stress increases because one mistake can collapse everything. Even successful people who dropped out rarely recommend it to others. They often had strong skills, mentorship, financial support, or unique circumstances. Their success did not come from dropping out; it came from discipline, consistency, and long hours of work that no one saw. 

What they skipped was the college system, not the hard work. This part is often forgotten or ignored. The truth is that dreams need direction. Excitement alone cannot build a future. When students leave education without a plan, they expose themselves to long-term uncertainty. Instead of chasing shortcuts, it is healthier to build both paths: follow passion while completing the basics. Study while exploring interests. Learn while experimenting.

This balanced approach gives freedom without losing stability. Young people today are incredibly talented and creative. They have access to knowledge, tools, and opportunities that previous generations never imagined. But every tool needs a foundation. Without that base, even the brightest ideas can fall apart. Quitting studies may feel bold, but building something strong is harder — and far more rewarding. The goal should not be fast money but a secure future where passion and skill grow together. When dreams are paired with discipline, they stop being fantasies and become real achievements. 

In the end, the dilemma is simple: shortcuts look attractive, but long-term success needs patience. A degree doesn’t define a person’s worth, but having a backup plan strengthens their journey. Young people deserve the chance to dream big, but they also deserve the safety of stability. Dreams grow best when the ground beneath them is steady.