Dropping Out Of College

Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter — What if? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers prompts —

The Exercise -

You're a senior in college writing home to tell your parent(s) that you're dropping out of school for your last semester; you can't promise that you will ever go back. You want them to understand, if not exactly approve of, your reason(s) for leaving. Make these as specific as you can - and as persuasive. The second half of the exercise is to write the answer, either from one or both of the parents. Limit: 550 words

The Objective -

To get inside the head of another person, someone you have invented, and assume her voice to vary your narrative conveyance.

Telling the parents:

Mom, Dad, I am dropping out of college. I thought I would talk with you before I withdrew from school. I know it is my last semester, but a promotion at my job makes it impossible to finish school right now. And I don't know if I will ever finish.

My job says I can start next week, as a salaried employee, and that they will pay for me to finish my degree when I have a little more time. The company is growing by leaps and bounds, so there is no guarantee there will be a slow time.

Being a salaried employee could mean working 50-60 hours a week, and even more. Can I pass this up? My starting salary is 120,000, and because it is a newer company, there is definitely room for promotions. Not too many college graduates get this opportunity.

Mom: Oh no! What are you thinking? Something could go wrong with that job, and then where will you be? We were so looking forward to having a college graduate in the family. I was hoping you would go on to school, beyond your bachelor's degree. Oh, Honey, please reconsider this.

Maybe you could ask to be trained for the position while you finish your degree program. Or maybe you can speak with your advisor and professors about this opportunity that has come up, and they can work something out with you, so that you can finish school on time, or maybe a short time later?

It isn't like you are paying for school. We haven't minded paying our fair share, and then with the scholarships, you won't have any debt when leaving college, as so many do. And you are right, the money is great. Please don't take this just for the money. What is the job like? Do you know?

Dad: Mom, I'm sorry, but I say Honey, go for it! If it doesn't work out, the experience that you get from the job will carry you as far as having the degree will, and maybe more, and you can always go back for a semester to finish college.

Now, you may have to pay for it yourself, as we may be retired by then, but you can take your chances, and you will make more money than us, so you can pay for it yourself.