I decided to drop out of UT Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering at the end of my 4th semester. Why? I was simply burned out, and I wasn't enjoying my life or my studies. Also, I didn't want to rack up $40k in debt.
During my first semester in college, I typed the following query into YouTube out of curiosity: "How much does it cost to live in Hong Kong". Little did I know, that query would completely change my life. I stumbled upon this one YouTube channel run by an Irish guy named Niall Doherty. Niall spent 44 months travelling the world without flying, so he managed to record himself in many different countries. I thought to myself, "Wow, this guy has a really interesting life. I wish I could live like that." To keep up with Niall's life, I found his blog and bookmarked it on my browser.
During my 4th semester at UT, I was going through a quarter-life crisis. I literally had no idea what I was going to do next. I just knew that I couldn't keep doing what I had been doing for the past two years. I was in a rut, and I needed to escape. Towards the end of that 4th semester, I checked Niall's blog for an update. Niall had just finished producing an online course called 3M1K. The premise of the course is that you can become knowledgeable enough about an online field within 3 months to start making at least $1000 online every month. I immediately called my mom, and I said, "I know what I'm doing this summer." Of course, my Mom wasn't thrilled about my leave college and never go back plan. I told her, "If this doesn't work out, I'll go straight back to college and major in something else. I just know that I have to give this a shot."
Well, it has been about 1.25 years since I dropped out of UT and started Niall's course. So how have things been going for me post-dropout? I'm currently running a successful online business. I do digital marketing and web development work for clients from all over the world. You know that blog that I started following as a freshman in college. I just got featured in it because I increased my freelancing rate from $9/hr to $50/hr over the course of a single year.
Many people have asked me how I travel so much. I'm my own boss, and I can make pretty good money from anywhere in the world with my laptop and a decent internet connection. Do you hate the 9-5 lifestyle? Do you feel like you're in a rut? If so, I encourage you to check out the blog post linked below. Like that YouTube video I watched as a freshman, it could change your life. Oh yeah, one more thing: my mom is more or less ok with my dropout status now.
Good Luck and hope you enjoy your life.
Thanks! It sure has gotten a lot better in only one year.