How does taking a semester off affect my transfer chances?

I’m currently a first semester freshman and am having a very bad experience at the school I attend. I’m already set on transferring - unfortunately I did not apply for second semester transfer so I will have to apply for the fall.
If I were to take second semester off, how would that affect my application process for next fall? I realize there must be some consequences, but I can’t imagine having to return here.
Thanks

Where do you want to transfer? A semester off may hurt your chances at top schools.

@TomSrOfBoston not looking at top schools - definitely not ivy leagues or anything like that. i currently go to a school where i got in with a high school gpa of around 3.5-7 (not exactly sure - it was a weighted gpa) and a sat score a bit above 2000.