I've learned one should never belittle another person's problems or frustrations, or compare them to one's own problems, because everyone's problems are different and incomparable. With that in mind, I would ask them why they are considering dropping out, then I would try to help them find a solution to their problems. Students always need to remember that high school is a short experience, only four years, and the rest of our lives are ahead of us. Quitting high school won't solve any problems. Life is work and no one will ever get away from that.
High school can only make the rest of life's work easier.
My parents divorced when I was in elementary school and my father moved away to California. When I was a freshman, my mother remarried, had a baby and in my sophomore year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She died in December of 1999, and since I have been living with my father again, balancing my life between his household and my step-father's and sister's. In addition, I have been trying to live my life as normal as possible, continuing with my honors course at school, all my activities and taking on a job. My hardship has taught me that life goes on, and the sun will always rise.