By JESSICA KOUROUNIOTIS

Before deciding to drop out, former Monash University student Brodie Wilson was anxious about not finding work after graduating from university.

“I wasn’t performing at the top of my class, so I was genuinely worried I would finish the four-year degree and be unemployed,” he said.

At the beginning of 2018, Mr Wilson, 21, decided to discontinue his double degree in biomedicine and science after he deferred for a year. 

He is just one of 50,000 students expected to drop out of university in Australia this year.

A recent report from the Grattan Institute showed that one in five students enrolled in Australia’s universities were more likely to drop out than complete their degree.

What do students have to say about dropping out?

“I looked at biomedicine-related jobs online and there weren’t many. The ones that were around were very low-paid … because of the lack of prospects I decided to leave and find a trade so I could have a secure job,” Mr Wilson said.

Recent government research found 30 per cent of graduates do not secure employment in their field within four months of completing their degree. Rather than be jobless, many students are seeking different paths.

Alys Parry, a 19-year-old student, plans to discontinue her Bachelor of Computer Science at Monash University after she recently found permanent employment.

“For me, uni has always been a means to a goal,” Ms Parry said.  

The Grattan Institute also found 40 per cent of students had thought about dropping out because they could not find a healthy study/life balance.

Jacob Neyenhuis, 17, a first-year student who moved interstate to study design and IT at Monash University, is also considering dropping out after finding it difficult to balance his job with studies.

“Having to juggle being available [at work] and making sure you’re attending uni is hard when you depend on money,” Mr Neyehuis said.

Do they regret dropping out?

The Grattan Institute found nearly 40 per cent of students would not have enrolled in their degree knowing what they know now.

Chur Lim, 22, a fourth-year student, decided to change degrees from engineering to commerce.

Mr Lim said universities and schools should do more to prepare students for university life.

“People need time before jumping straight into uni because the second you commit you accumulate debt,” he said.

Ms Parry said she definitely felt a sense of missing out when she left university, but she did  not regret the decision to leave.

“What’s good for one person isn’t going to be good for someone else,” she said.

Mr Wilson said he did not regret his decision to drop out and is enjoying studying at TAFE, where he has been able to find full-time work as a stair-maker.

The Grattan Institute's recommendations for reducing drop-out rates include giving better advice to students before they enrol and making sure they are engaged in their course before they incur fees.