I dropped out of college but still hang out on campus for free stuff

I signed up for college last fall, full of ambition to earn a degree. But just a week in, the crushing cost of tuition and looming student loans made me rethink everything.

I already had a decent job—working the front desk at a local auto shop, handling appointments and customer inquiries. The pay’s solid enough to cover my expenses with a bit left over, so I decided to drop out and skip higher education for now.

When I went to the campus security office to return my student ID, I ran into a security guard, Tony, who’d waved me through the gates during orientation. We got to chatting, and he said, “You seem alright. Keep the ID—I’ll mark it as active for the next four years. Saves you coming back if you change your mind, and it’s less hassle for me to update the system.” I was stunned but didn’t question it. Apparently, the campus database doesn’t flag inactive IDs unless someone digs into it, and Tony wasn’t about to stir the pot.That ID is now my secret weapon. It lets me roam the entire campus—classrooms, lecture halls, even the fancy research labs (though I avoid those).

The ID’s code unlocks the library computers, free printing, and the campus Wi-Fi, which is lightning-fast. I spend hours in the library, messing around online, printing resumes, or reading random books from their huge collection.The campus itself is awesome. There’s a small gym with decent equipment and clean showers, perfect for a quick workout or freshening up after work. The cafeteria has cheap, filling food—think burgers and fries—and I’ve had some great chats with students there. The whole place is a vibe, with game nights, student band performances, and chill spots to hang out. I’ve met tons of people who assume I’m still a student, and I just roll with it.I don’t know how long this ID trick will hold up, but for now, I’m enjoying all the perks of college life without the tuition. It’s like I’ve got the best of both worlds, and I’m not complaining.