<p>Hi guys I am in a situation which is almost making me feel depressed as the days of summer break comes to an end. I I currently attend CCA California College of the Arts and am entering my sophmore year. I came out of high school not knowing what I want to do with my life and wanted to go to community college to figure it all out. My mom would not see the sight of me attending a community college and insisted I go to CCA (didnt get a lot of money and had to pull a lot of loans) So i am already in a lot of debt.I came out of highscool with a 3.4 gpa and ended my freshmen year of CCA at 2.9(i know i fucked up) the debt is really fucking us over. . I thought Id figure it out as I was at this school but now Im more lost than ever! Im thinking of taking a Gap year saving up money and attending my local Community college but what are the cons? Is it possible if I take a gap year and reenter CCA as a sophmore a year later? with how i did my freshmen year is it too late to even consider taking a gap year? I might want to go to a university instead so Im really lost atm. plz can someone try to help me out?</p>
<p>Hey Hotpoe,</p>
<p>I took off my sophomore year and did just what you’re taling about.</p>
<p>Me being me, I say go for it! </p>
<p>But, if you do a gap year abroad, take it seriously and really apply yourself. You could really come back with some feathers if your cap if you learn a language and pick up some credits, even if it’s only a few.</p>
<p>Also, the trip abroad could really open up your eyes and give you a better sense of direction. I met quite a few people when I studied abroad whose interest in art or international relations or some specific field really perked up because of the time abroad. It gave them a lot of focus and motivation.</p>
<p>Another important thing for you to consider - so make it a point to remind yourself before you go! - is that you really should get right back to school when you come back. </p>
<p>(Wow! You’re school is so expensive! Based on that I think the community college idea is excellent idea - and if your mom co-signed your student loans she might want to agree!) </p>
<p>Here’s where I would start your search if I were you:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.budgetstudyabroad.com/”>http://www.budgetstudyabroad.com/</a></p>
<p>Since it’s an art school, you might like this:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.budgetstudyabroad.com/semester-in-florence-650-euros-universita-degli-studi-di-firenze/”>http://www.budgetstudyabroad.com/semester-in-florence-650-euros-universita-degli-studi-di-firenze/</a></p>
<p>It’s not an art program, but learning Italian for 650 euros for an entire semester might be interesting for you. (Shoot! I wanna go!)</p>
<p>I don’t know where you are thinking of doing a gap year, but the site should help out - you’ll see what I mean when you see it.</p>
<p>Things to consider:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>if you have student loans, you have a 6 month grace period once you’re out of school - and then you have to start paying back your loans (until you are matriculated again at a US university)</p></li>
<li><p>I believe that the 6 month grace period is a one-time freebie. So when you do graduate, you will have to start paying back student loans immediately (anyone who has more info on this, please post!)</p></li>
<li><p>One way to AVOID the above - is to maintain your status as “matriculated” at your school while you take time off. Some schools let you, some don’t. Some charge a fee and other don’t - but the fee is usually worth it. So check with your school.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>SORRY FOR THE SHORT EMAIL!</p>
<p>Are you on academic probation? At least at my university, that would be the only reason you might have trouble returning. Otherwise, where I go, they allow you four semesters of not attending and you will be guaranteed to be able to return. You need to find out what your school’s policy is. </p>
<p>I think it would be a good idea to take some time off and maybe consider other options rather than returning because it’s costing you a fortune… and you can always have your current school as a backup incase nothing pans out. </p>
<p>Especially if you feel like you are just wasting time and don’t know what you want to be doing, it could really be smart to stop paying for something that isn’t helping you. Take some time off until you hopefully have a better idea of what you want and then at least if you are spending a ton of money at this university you will at least be getting something from it!</p>