<p>Hi Im a current college freshmen at a very small liberal arts college. I've been very unhappy at school and am considering taking this semester off to reexamine things. Im applying to different schools as options to transfer next year, but just feel so trapped and isolated where I am right now. Despite having a good group of friends, I just dont feel that I completely fit in and don't feel like it is the best environment for me here. I don't know if Im just being naive but i feel like I need to step back and figure things out. I would want to have a job and take some classes while out of school, i just don't know if im being crazy. I guess my question is: would it be a smart decision to take a semester off? I'm a very good student and my education is important to me, I'm just in a very unhappy place right now and its very hard for me to focus on getting through the next 14 weeks. I'd appreciate any advice you can offer!</p>
<p>The biggest regret that I have about my entire umpteen year academic experience, is that I didn’t take time off when I wanted to. If you are unhappy, and you can take a leave of absence, do it. Go get the financial stuff sorted out first thing in the morning and thenpack your bags.</p>
<p>Wishing you many good not-school adventures!</p>
<p>I suggest that you talk this idea through with a counselor at the school. Today if possible.</p>
<p>Hi sam, and welcome to CC. I’m glad you posted.</p>
<p>Has school already started? If so, you’ll definitely need to talk to your advisor or the registrar’s office immediately about how to do that without affecting your college record.</p>
<p>Having said that, no, you’re not crazy. There is nothing at all wrong with taking a semester off. My daughter was very unhappy her freshman year, and took the first semester of sophomore year off. She got a job for that time and took some classes at the community college. It made all the difference for her. She had some time to think, and it gave her some perspective on how she felt about her college. She also explored transfer options, but ended up going back to her college. She found she missed it more than she thought she would, and she used the time off well to get onto more solid emotional ground. </p>
<p>Two things – DO NOT disenroll or withdraw. Instead, request a personal leave. This will hold your place at the college, and your financial package if any. You can always disenroll later if you decide not to go back. But don’t close the door forever until you’ve had more time to think about it.</p>
<p>The second thing is, I strongly recommend that you talk to a counsellor or therapist. Depression is a very common thing, and there are effective treatments. A counsellor will also be able to help you sort out your situation. Once you’re feeling better, you will be able to think more clearly about your future.</p>
<p>A personal leave of absence is not necessarily a bad idea, but please take the following things into consideration before making a decision:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How much of your tuition and room and board can be refunded if you take a leave now? It may be much less than 100% if school has already started.</p></li>
<li><p>Are you taking courses that are the second halves of two-semester sequences and are only offered in the spring? If you are, taking a single semester off might make planning your future class schedules very difficult or could even make it impossible for you to graduate in eight semesters.</p></li>
</ol>