Pretty Sure I'm Taking Next Semester Off

[smoker6146]

So, I'm in my second year of college right now, and I'm pretty sure I'm taking next semester off.

Reasons:

I'm at a school I hate, terrible academics stupid policies.
It's much too much money (12k a year, after financial aid is applied)
I've been dealing with depression for a long time, it's having a terrible effect on my grades.
It's 2000 miles away from home, no interest in staying so far away.


So, since it's too late to transfer, I'm thinking about taking next semester off.
I have a lot of personal issues including depression that I think I need to deal with.

I'm going to spend next semester working, saving money, doing a lot of local volunteer work, and doing a lot of thinking.
Also, depending on how much money I can save up, I'd like to spend a month or two with a volunteer program in Uganda in the late spring.
This summer and next fall I'll take courses at a CC probably, then transfer to a state school.

Good idea? Bad idea?

[nicayotte]

Bad idea personally.... it will be much harder for you to get back into the swing of things after that semester off is over....

[Geiseric]

It really is quite hard, but more power to you if you can do it. I have a few friends who got stuck in the same situation, wanting to leave, but being unable to transfer. One of them got back in, haven't heard from the rest. Its hard for anyone to say what is best, but if you feel you are becoming depressed due to your situation, obviously something has to change.

[Foos]

Id say go for it but only if you really know that you are going to go back to school. I took my last semester off and lived in Sweden for 6 months, had a great time, got a much needed break from school, and met a lot of really great people. I'm back in school now and will be until I graduate. Do what you gotta do but make sure your priority is returning to school.

[smoker6146]

Yes, I have been told by many people that it is a bad idea for the exact same reason everyone mentioned. The majority of people have told me "You won't go back."
I don't believe that is true at all.

I'm starting school this summer, courses start half way through May. That would be four months off, basically a few weeks shy of how long summer vacation is.

I don't really see how this will have an impact on me not wanting to go back to school.

[Dr. Atkins]

Whoever thinks its a bad idea deserves a kick in the teeth. If going to school at all is really a good idea for you, then you'll be back in school after a break, which will do you wonders if you're dealing with depression.

[PirateNinja415]

I have a few friends that had to take some time off from school here. Two out of the three came back, and the other one is taking next semester off, but i'm pretty sure he'll return. They all seem a lot happier than last year, so i definetly think taking some time off from school can be beneficial. I hope everything works out for you.

[btuner]

everyone i know that was just gonna "take a semester off" never ended up comin back. youll end up taking a job somewhere and then either wont wanna give up the job or just lose the desire to go back becuase of the "freedom" of not being in school. I say its a bad idea unless you know 1000%(yes thats thousand) know that your gonna go back. If your really serious about school go talk to a counsler and have them lay out all your classes for when you come back so you know what to expect and have sort of a reminder that you have to go back cause you already have your classes set up

[smoker6146]

everyone i know that was just gonna "take a semester off" never ended up comin back. youll end up taking a job somewhere and then either wont wanna give up the job or just lose the desire to go back becuase of the "freedom" of not being in school. I say its a bad idea unless you know 1000%(yes thats thousand) know that your gonna go back. If your really serious about school go talk to a counsler and have them lay out all your classes for when you come back so you know what to expect and have sort of a reminder that you have to go back cause you already have your classes set up

Don't worry, I'm more than 1000% sure.

I'm not an idiot, I have no interest in being stuck in some dead end job.
Considering I'll be living with my parents as well during this time, I'm exactly sure how much "freedom" I'd have. Most likely a lot less than being in school.


Honestly, one of the reasons I hate college, and I do so poorly in my classes, is they don't make me think enough. They're too easy and structured.

An example of this would be the fact I failed numerous papers in many different classes because I use my own ideas instead of others.
I'm told to write a paper on a subject, I research it, I state this fact, that fact, and this fact, and from those I draw this conclusion and this theory.
Then I have my professor saying "Well, where did that theory come from? You can't just come up with your own theory you have to find someone elses and put it in your paper and cite it."

Any monkey can get a bunch of different opinions or theories and put them in a paper and then say "I agree with this one." That is not learning.

[btuner]

An example of this would be the fact I failed numerous papers in many different classes because I use my own ideas instead of others.
I'm told to write a paper on a subject, I research it, I state this fact, that fact, and this fact, and from those I draw this conclusion and this theory.
Then I have my professor saying "Well, where did that theory come from? You can't just come up with your own theory you have to find someone elses and put it in your paper and cite it."

Any monkey can get a bunch of different opinions or theories and put them in a paper and then say "I agree with this one." That is not learning.

Really? I've never had a proff say that i couldnt come to my own conclusion. That's the whole point of a research paper to reasearch and come up with what you think is correct conclusion. I'm in Brit Lit right now and all we do is come up with our own conclusions to things, and as long as you support your theory your A-OK.

[Tati]

If its going to make you feel better, then do it, for sure.
But make sure its ok where you go to school to do that, and if you can reserve your spot (if you want to go back to the same place).

Good luck!

[smoker6146]

An example of this would be the fact I failed numerous papers in many different classes because I use my own ideas instead of others.
I'm told to write a paper on a subject, I research it, I state this fact, that fact, and this fact, and from those I draw this conclusion and this theory.
Then I have my professor saying "Well, where did that theory come from? You can't just come up with your own theory you have to find someone elses and put it in your paper and cite it."

Any monkey can get a bunch of different opinions or theories and put them in a paper and then say "I agree with this one." That is not learning.

Really? I've never had a proff say that i couldnt come to my own conclusion. That's the whole point of a research paper to reasearch and come up with what you think is correct conclusion. I'm in Brit Lit right now and all we do is come up with our own conclusions to things, and as long as you support your theory your A-OK.

I keep getting told that coming to my own conclusions is something that you do in graduate school, in undergrad I don't have the level of education to make my own conclusions on things, I need to rely on the "experts."

[Halon2]

Hey bro,
Sorry to hear that your school isn't working out for you. I was literally in your exact situation (cept it was my freshman year) two years ago. I applied to the school I'm at now (Northern Colorado) in mid-December and started spring semester (early January). It was way past the transfer application deadline, but I did it anyway and everything worked out great! So if you really want to transfer to another school, I would call them and explain your situation and maybe they'll still let you in. I was going to take a semester off, too, but my school now was extremely helpful and did everything they could to get me there for the spring semester.
If you just want a break, tho, I understand that, just make sure you apply and get everything done to go there next fall, because I've had too many friends do the 'semester off' thing and they're still doing it two years later.
Best of luck with everything!


TYLER

[james]

People have already said it, but it's hard for most people to go back once they take time off. But people are different. I'm taking a semester off right now (not really by choice... forced move), but won't have any trouble going back.

And, if you're not impressed with your college experience, maybe you should look in to a different one. Change of scenery can do wonders.

[Scheetz]

I agree with taking a semester off. I am actually doing that right now. Going back this spring though. (Yay short sentences.) Anyway, I took off for my business which in the end didn't work out the way I planned so I am taking another route.

I would take like 2-3 weeks off and just relax. Then go about what you have planned to do. You just need to remember you are going back to school the following semester and you will be fine. One thing you could always do is take 1 class at the CC so you are still in the school train of thought. Just make sure that class will transfer properly to whatever school you are going to.


I transfered my sophomore year and pretty much lost a full semester of classes because they don't equal the same thing at my new school. Also, if you have an C- for grades. Go back to your professor and ask if they will change it to a C. For the most part a C- will not transfer. So the new school will tell you to have the old school fix it.