10 Famous School Dropouts

We live in a society that is obsessed with education – we truly believe that the only people who are successful are the people who get through college. As time goes on, a simple high-school diploma is not enough to get even the most basic jobs. Those who drop out of high school are often seen as worthless.

There are plenty of different people who have become successful, even though they dropped out of high school or college. The Dropout Hall of Fame Notes that you “don’t have to go to college to be successful” (1). This is a perfect observation and exercise in self-help and self-improvement. These different individuals had the self-esteem self-help tools that they needed to be successful despite their lack of education.

  Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck managed to make it through high school, but quite after one year at multiple colleges. Ben Affleck has managed to become a renowned director, producer, screenwriter, and actor.

  Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi is easily known as one of the best Tennis Players produced by the United States of America. Andre has seen great success beyond his tennis career thanks to promotions, strong business moves, and charitable work. Agassi dropped out of school in the 9th grade to be able to pursue a career as a professional tennis player.

  Roman Abramovich

Roman Abramovich is the wealthiest man in all of Russia. Roman Abramovich is also a college dropout, someone who failed to make it all the way through. He realized that his education was not enough, and jumped right into his business work.

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera is a world-renowned singer and businesswomen, constantly putting out CDs and working in various acting mediums. Aguilera never finished hi-school, making her one of the many musicians who found success and fortune without a high school degree.
 

 John Travolta

One of the most recognizable American film stars of all time, John Travolta has seen continued success both in and out of the movie industry. Travolta never finished high school.

Dave Thomas

Dave Thomas is the creator of Wendy’s, the fast food chain that is consistently in the Top 3 for fast food chains. Dave Thomas started his business on a whim and a dream, and didn’t need a full high-school education to do so.

 Troy Aikman

Troy Aikman was one of the many football players that dropped out of college to pursue a professional football career. A true success story, Aikman is known as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Aikman went back to school 20 years later to finish his degree, showing that dropouts can be successful, and can go back to school.

  Woody Allen

Woody Allen is one of the most well known screenwriters and directors of American Cinema. Woody Allen never made it through college, getting kicked out and pushed into his new career.
 

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews is yet another successful businesswoman, one of America’s most well-renowned actors. Andrews never finished high school.

 Jane Austen

Those who believe that you must go through college to be well-read and well-spoken have obviously failed to understand the life of Jane Austen. A revered and renowned novelist, Austen dropped out of school at the age of 11.

Use their stories as self-improvement tips and self-confidence improvement tips. The fact that you did not make it through high school does not automatically label you as a failure. Look at a self-improvement guide to better understand how you can still be successful, despite not finishing high school or going through college.