A growing number of Gen Z college freshmen are leaving campus life behind just weeks into their first semester, opting instead to return home and finish coursework online, according to a recent discussion on Fox News’ “Outnumbered.”
One widely shared example involves a 17-year-old student who left Southern University in Louisiana after only two weeks to return to her home in Las Vegas. In the caption of a viral TikTok video documenting her decision, she clarified that she had not dropped out entirely — she switched to the university’s online program.
The trend has sparked debate online, with reactions split between support for students prioritizing mental health and frustration that young people are avoiding discomfort rather than pushing through it. “Y’all have to learn how to be uncomfortable,” one commenter wrote, while another countered, “It’s OK to be uncomfortable, anxious and stressed during your first year of college.”
On “Outnumbered,” co-host Kaleigh McEnany reflected on her own struggles adjusting to college away from 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.
Parents Weigh In
Several parents described similar experiences in posts shared on Reddit. One wrote that a son who had been a top student in high school and had scholarship money covering his entire first year chose to quit college after just one week. “I feel like a loser,” the parent wrote, adding that the family had invested heavily in a car, laptop and bus passes to support him.
Responses to that post urged the parent to understand the reasoning behind the decision rather than force a return to school. “What are his reasons? How much ability do you have to force him to stay?” one reply asked.
Another parent described a daughter managing social anxiety and a fear of public speaking who made it through her second week of classes despite the challenges. “So far it is going well, but not without some struggle,” the parent wrote, noting that one class required discussion participation from every student each session.
Different Paths Forward
Some commenters argued that college isn’t the right move for every 18-year-old immediately after high school. “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, suggesting that working full-time and covering some bills can be a legitimate alternative until a student feels ready.
Others echoed that sentiment, noting there is no single timeline students must follow. “There are many paths; don’t stress!” one comment read.
The “Outnumbered” panel pointed out that many current college freshmen spent much of their high school years learning remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, often from their own kitchens or living rooms with parents nearby — a background some believe has shaped how comfortable this generation is with returning home rather than toughing out campus life.
A recent Psychology Today article on the subject advised parents of students who come home early to set firm expectations. A mental health counselor recommended parents “set clear boundaries regarding work, household responsibilities, health and wellness, and daily routines.”
