I Asked 13 Devs: Should I Quit School Or Go All In?
ISRAƎLShould I drop out of college to chase my dreams — or play it safe and stay in school? I asked 13 Dev's and creators / channel owners I thought would answer my questions .. and In this article I'm going show you 6 of the responses I get from 'em .. and will publish the rest Tomorrow.
• Tech Nerd:
Honestly, the answer depends on the person. If you look at it logically, college isn’t the most efficient path to financial stability nowadays. But if you genuinely love academics, it could still be the right choice for you.
Since your goal is to build a business and work on your SaaS, college probably won’t give you the practical knowledge or skills you need. The only real value might be the social connections. So ask yourself: do you see college helping your future, or is it making you miserable? That was the deciding factor for me.
I don’t think anyone can tell you exactly what to do. But if you’re on the edge, you’ll know when it’s time. When that moment comes, there won’t be regret—just clarity. Do your research, be honest with yourself, and try not to let fear or bias influence your decision
Also, since you’re a Christian, Pray about it. Ask God for guidance. You might not get a clear answer immediately, but in time, it’ll make sense.
What helped me decide:
- I talked to graduates about their careers and skill
- Compared them with dropouts I Know from the community ( there skills , carriers, products) .
- Did my research, and realized school wouldn’t get me where I wanted to go.
-The environment made me miserable, and I wasn't gaining useful skills.
- Earning income helped convince my family I was on the right path.
• Sam:
Honestly I think college is a scam. I can’t tell you to just drop out, but if I could time travel, I wouldn’t go to college it’s just a waste of time.
That said, you do get to meet a lot of people, and I really loved that part. But if we’re talking strictly about the academic side of college, it’s pretty useless in my opinion. I regret it a lot. Still if you think it through you can probably make both things work together.
• Lidiya:
I get how frustrating and messed up the Ethiopian education system can be, like the new rule requiring students to teach for a year. University often isn’t about being taught by teachers; it’s more about figuring things out on your own, which can kill motivation and make you worry about grades. Still, university teaches valuable life skills managing time, money, building networks, and discovering your limits. You also get access to opportunities like free tools, course discounts, and networking events just for being a student.
I also thought about dropping out, but I chose to stay and work on my projects at the same time. If you want more flexibility, consider an extension degree at AASTU, classes on weekends, hustling during the week. it would be suitable option if you are certain about your skills.
Overall, dropping out might seem trendy, but I believe in making the most of the opportunities you have and university is still a big one. My advice: don’t drop out instead explore smarter options like extension programs. cause there might be a point in life where you need a degree and also the process teaches you a lot about life. Whatever you decide, I respect your decision, i wish you all the best!
• Sifen:
I don’t advise dropping out, especially with all the AI stuff going on. I’m in engineering too, and honestly, I’ve been thinking about dropping out myself.. but I’m waiting until I’m confident I can actually build a life from this. If you're serious and stay consistent, you’ll figure it out.
• Ruth:
Here’s how I usually approach big decisions: if it’s not a “hell yes,” then it’s a no. And if I feel the need to ask others for advice, that often tells me I’m not sure — and if I’m not sure, I’d rather not do it. When we ask for advice, people respond from their own perspectives. But they’re not the ones who’ll live with the consequences. So the irony of me giving you advice :)
That said, here’s my honest take. Think things through thoroughly. Explore all directions. Ask yourself:
– What would dropping out look like, day to day?
– What would continuing look like?
– Which version of you feels more aligned with who you want to become?
From your story, I see that you’re a high school student who already knows your passion and career path, that’s rare and honestly something to be grateful for. The question now is: are you disciplined enough to follow that path without school’s structure? Because even if you stay in school, it’s still on you to push yourself to go beyond the surface, and learn.
Personally, I think it might be better to continue and see what university is like before deciding. At the very least, you’ll be making your choice with full awareness. Who knows, you might end up liking it. Plus, being around like-minded people can push you to grow in ways you didn’t expect. Just be intentional about who you surround yourself with.
I don’t regret going to university. It’s shaped me in more ways than I can count, and hope you can have the similar experience
• Brook Solomon ( Solo codes ) :
Don't drop out
School is time demanding yes but not enough to prevent you from working on your projects, you'll still have plenty of time left over