A growing number of Gen Z college freshmen are deciding within weeks of arriving on campus that dorm life is not for them, choosing instead to return home, take classes online, or leave higher education entirely. The trend has sparked debate among parents, students, and commentators about what the shift says about a generation whose high school years were shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning.
One viral TikTok, posted by a 17-year-old, showed a student leaving Southern University in Louisiana just two weeks into her first semester to return to her family in Las Vegas. In the video's caption, the teenager clarified that she had not dropped out but had switched to the university's online program. The clip drew widespread attention and mixed reactions, with some users expressing sympathy and others urging resilience.
«To be fair, college is not for everyone,» one Facebook user wrote. Another commented, «Time for the school of HARD KNOCKS!» A third offered a more measured view: «It's OK to be uncomfortable, anxious and stressed during your first year of college.» The range of responses reflects a broader cultural conversation about whether the traditional residential college experience remains the right fit for every student.
During a recent «Outnumbered» segment, co-host Kaleigh McEnany recalled her own college years and the difficulty of returning to school after time at home. «I would cry in the airport, and my mom was like, 'You've gotta get on the plane, you've gotta go back …' And it was tough, but I'm so glad she pushed me,» she said. The segment noted that many members of Gen Z completed high school largely from home during the pandemic, taking online classes in living rooms and kitchens with parents nearby — an experience that may have made the transition to independent campus life more jarring.
Parents have taken to online forums to share their own struggles. One Reddit user wrote that a son «is quitting college quickly, and I feel like a loser,» describing how the family had paid for a car, a laptop, and bus passes, only for him to drop out after one week despite a scholarship covering his entire first year. Another parent described a daughter with social anxiety who made it through her second week of college but found a required discussion-based class especially difficult.
Other commenters suggested that the pressure to attend college immediately after high school may be misplaced. «I feel that college is a huge maturity checkpoint and most young adults aren't ready for it right out of high school,» one person wrote, advocating that students be allowed to work full time and pay bills instead. Another agreed: «There is NO reason he has to attend college right now. He can work and see whether he is able to earn enough to support himself that way. He may need a break from academics. There are many paths; don't stress!»
Students and online commenters have pointed to financial concerns, mental health struggles, and a desire to focus purely on academics as factors that can make on-campus life difficult. A recent Psychology Today piece on the subject noted that young people who leave college early — for whatever reason — need clear guidance once they return home. A mental health counselor advised parents to «set clear boundaries regarding work, household responsibilities, health and wellness, and daily routines.»
The trend remains fluid, with some students opting for online programs rather than abandoning their degrees altogether. For families navigating the decision, the debate highlights a tension between the traditional expectation of leaving home for college and a growing willingness to reconsider what that experience should look like.