As a third-year journalism student at Klein Communication and Media College, I can tell you that when I started at Temple University, I didn’t expect to be here now.
When I started college, I majored in political science with the goal of going to Law School. Shortly after the first semester, that idea died, and I lost all ambition to study law and politics.
During my first semester at Temple, I had numerous political science classes; one in particular was international politics. Many of my classmates seemed far more advanced in the material, while I was way behind and unfamiliar with terms they used, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
I declared journalism, hoping to cover political events such as United Nations (UN) conferences and elections. At the end of my second year, I decided to drop political science altogether and focus entirely on writing.
I knew I was no longer interested in pursuing political science during finals week. I studied long hours, made many flashcards, and had my friends stay up to quiz me on the study guide. I went to take the test and felt good about it. I failed the class with a 69.99%.
College is where students experiment and expand their interests to find what they truly care about. Students also face some of the most stressful moments, with nonstop midterms, exams, and lengthy essays.
When students aren’t doing academic work, it’s also the space where we learn independence and try new hobbies.
Hannah Lazo, a second-year Temple student majoring in Geography and Urban Studies, says she is in the exploratory phase of her life. “I try something new almost every day, and this is a new space for me,” Lazo told Her Campus.
Lazo shares some new experiences she’s tried since starting college. Lazo said, “My friend told me about salsa dancing in Love Park, so we tried that, and it was so fun; we found out about it the day of and just did it.”
Entering adulthood never comes with a definite answer, and so much remains unknown about what could happen. Using our free time now can create many memories and potential long-term friendships.
On the other hand, college can be demanding at times. Jason Burnell, a second-year student currently undecided but on the Communications track, says school is taking a toll on him. “I would say this is my most stressful era,” Burnell told Her Campus.
Burnell continued and said, “I’m taking two online classes, then three in-person classes. I had a presentation back-to-back-to-back, and then I had two exams.”
Sometimes in college, students become overwhelmed as classwork starts piling up all at once. Midterm and final exam periods are the most stressful for students because they require constant studying and preparation.
As of 2026, 22.9% of students who began their college journey in Fall 2024 did not return in Fall 2025. In 2024, 62% of all students who entered college as freshmen in Fall 2024 dropped out before Spring 2025.
As a third-year student who started college in Fall 2024, I was close to dropping out for financial reasons. During my freshman year, I lived in a dorm, which added an unnecessary cost to my tuition compared to the years after.
My first-year costs and aid were estimated at around $5,000 each semester after loans and grants. When I decided to get an off-campus apartment, my tuition was $250 per semester. This was significantly less stressful for my family and me.
College students drop out for various reasons, including tuition increases, mental health issues, and difficulty with coursework. I curated all the data and personal responses based on my stated question. How will I spend the next four years?