<p>Hi Everyone,
I'm currently a junior at a small, private college in the Northeast. I am a business major and a Sociology minor and have begun to struggle immensely with school. In high school I was the valedictorian in my class, participated and headed many extracurricular activities, and maintained a 4.0 even while taking a full A.P. course load. I struggled with very bad anxiety and depression during the beginning of my college career and eventually had to transfer from my dream school (NYU) to this small college because of it. Essentially I have worked myself to the bone and now find myself at college pulling B's and C's, which are slowly turning into more C's. I know it's not that the classes are too difficult, rather that it's a psychological issue of mine. I am just so exhausted from working so hard to get into college that I have trouble generating the same work ethic I previously had. I was wondering if taking a semester or even a year off from college to break the routine and clear my head would put me in a poor disposition for job prospects when I do graduate. Also how do I discuss this with my parents? I don't think they will understand or be very supportive. Any suggestions are much appreciated!</p>
<p>First - my sympathies. You’re clearly exhausted and very down. My initial reaction is to encourage you to go to the school counselor: that’s what they’re there for, it’s part of the support services paid for through your hefty tuition.</p>
<p>Second - go to your academic advisor, and discuss with her/him options for a semester abroad. many LACs have wonderful programs which are actually cheaper than staying on campus. You could take fairly easy, fun classes which fulfill your gen ed requirements, and at the same time have a wonderful adventure. Plus, a semester abroad could be easier to ‘sell’ to your parents since it would be a valuable part of your academic experience. </p>
<p>If for some reason going abroad is not an option, and you prefer to stay in the US, I would recommend this. Have a plan: what you will do/why/how it could help you down the road. And then introduce this plan to your parents by telling them the truth: you’re exhausted. You’re burnt out. You need a break in order to get your academic mojo back. </p>
<p>Honesty plus a reasonably-sounding plan - that’s the way to approach your parents. Good luck!</p>
<p>I think you are a good candidate for taking a semester off and perhaps working at something related to your interests . If you are really stressed out and not doing your best , I would think your parents would support your decision to not waste money when you are not able to give yourself 100% to study . Good luck !</p>
<p>Nothing like 6 mos at low wages and living at home to refocus the mind.</p>
<p>I agree that it would be good to talk with your counselor at your U (you are paying hefty tuition for him/her to help you). It is not uncommon for kids to get burnt out and it’s good that you’re recognizing it and interesting in forming a plan to improve things.</p>
<p>Since you’re a JR, you probably won’t be able to take many gen ed courses & would probably taking upper division courses in your major.</p>
<p>Would start working out different options that you can propose to your folks as your plan on what you expect to do during your term or year off. Lining up a job would be a good thing as well (even if it only starts out as part-time). You might also want to shadow someone in a field you hope to go into after you graduate. Good luck!</p>
<p>Ellebee.</p>
<p>Go to your doctor and get a physical and get a check on your hormone levels. Many women your age start to have hormonal imbalances that can show themselves as deression and anxiety. See an endocrinologist.</p>
<p>Having done this myself while in high school, I would not advocate a semester abroad when suffering from possible depression or general exhaustion / confusion.</p>
<p>I think it is essential for you to take care of yourself physically and psychologically first. If you need to take a break from school for a semester or two to accomplish this it will put you in a better place when you do eventually graduate and seek employment. During the time off you do need to find a balance of work, rest and counseling.</p>
<p>Medical checks sound like a good idea. And don’t underestimate the value of exercise. Sometimes is a better use of time than more studying.</p>
<p>
I can’t see a negative impact on job prospects when you graduate – as long as you come back and graduate.</p>
<p>I agree, taking a year off will not hurt job prospects. GPA will be much bigger issue, and if you can refocus, this is best, imho.</p>
<p>I also would not recommend going abroad if you are not psychogically strong. There is too much stress involved with living in a different environment with different routines, and that could put you into a crisis.</p>
<p>Take a year off, my son took a year off his sophomore year for the same reason, his grades had taken drastic turn for the worse his second semester sophomore year. He came home, worked full time (part of the conditions he worked out with his university to return) and said that although he missed his friends and school he needed the break, he had, like you, lost his desire to continue working at the pace he had been and the year off was exactly what he needed to re-motivate him. (Nothing like 6 mos at a low paying job to make you appreciate your education!) I think that when looking for a job or going to grad school, you will have no problem explaining that you took a year off to reconsider the direction you were taking in your education. I know a lot of very successful adults who achieved their success by taking non-traditional paths. Good luck, please get the help you need. It really sounds like you need a break and you are not the only one!!</p>
<p>You will be doing what many kids do when they are stressed or depressed, and there is nothing wrong with taking a year off. My young cousin did that. She just returned after a year. She is more focused and more sure of what she wants. The steps she took were, she visited the school counselors discussed her depression and spiralling downward grades, asked to take a year off, get their approval ,very important if you have scholarships, you want to keep them so do the steps to maintain them when you return. The school even recommended to her to take the semesters off. She returned home, got counselling, worked and took some classes at her local college( fun classes). She returned a year later renewed, refreshed and ready.
I would tell your parents of your struggles, assure them that you are going to seek counselling. They can be your best allies. Good luck.</p>
<p>Taking time off is not uncommon. It could help you find motivation. However, many people find it difficult to go back once they have left. Have you considered online college? You could even do an [online</a> certification](<a href=“http://www.bestonlinecolleges.com/blog/2010/online-college-rankings-that-matter/"]online”>http://www.bestonlinecolleges.com/blog/2010/online-college-rankings-that-matter/) program. Certification programs are a great alternative to a four year degree.</p>
<p>I’m gonna be the devil’s advocate here and suggest that getting lots of C’s may not be the end of the world, and taking time off is not necessarily going to fix anything. It prolongs the time you have to be in school and may well make you feel more depressed. So another strategy might be exercise (it is so good for you in so many ways) even if it’s just a regular walk with friends. Make a no-homework time every day, where you chill. Eat well. Create beauty --even if it’s just coloring with crayons! In short, find ways to give yourself some rest in your daily routine, don’t just set up an either/or situation (I work like a crazed dog 24/7, or I drop out of school for a while) It’s okay if you don’t have that drive for the hardest class, the highest achievement, the hardest route to the biggest success. At some point we all realize that academic achievement in and of itself is no longer as personally fulfilling. Tolerate the C’s and just let that be the price of a little r&r. Which I realize is somewhat unorthodox, but wanted to offer another perspective. (and btw, a semester off is not the end of the world either. Listen to your instincts)</p>
<p>I think you should definitely take a year off. </p>
<p>Get a sales job that pays you commission like selling furniture, shoes, jewelery, tiles, etc. </p>
<p>Basically you want something where your pay relies on your ability to interact with customers, listen carefully to their needs and work on your ability to help satisfy those needs. What you will learn by doing this will be something that you wouldn’t learn in school, and since you’re smart, you’ll get good at it. </p>
<p>If you get really good at it, move up to selling more expensive things like real estate, etc. </p>
<p>When you go back to school, you’ll have a lot more motivation and insight and will be able to return to getting As. </p>
<p>Taking this approach gives you a chance to clear your head, find some direction, and wouldn’t be a waste of time at all. In fact, I think it would only increase your employability over getting Cs. Remember that MBA programs require you to work for a while so that you have some business perspective. While you’re only in a bachelors program, it’s clear that work experience is very valuable to help you appreciate the intellectual subject matter that business courses teach.</p>
<p>To Quickly Burning Out-
I went to college right out of high school. I didn’t really know what I wanted to major in. It sounds like you have that figured out, though. Anyway, I wish I had waited to go to college because I was a good student in high school but did bad my first year in college. I dropped out and went back to college years later. I did very well but since my previous grades were transferred from my bad freshman year, I did not graduate with honors. I feel that you should talk to both your counselor and your parents and explain the situation to see if you should take a break. If you want to take some time off but want to take a course here and there you may want to consider taking some online college courses such at what this school offers: [Home</a> - Flexible Learning](<a href=“http://flexible.dce.ufl.edu/]Home”>http://flexible.dce.ufl.edu/) or maybe your school offers online courses too. That way, you can work at a slower pace but still be working on your degree. You won’t be taking a full semester load of courses at once.</p>
<p>“Go to your doctor and get a physical” - yup.</p>
<p>Then worry about taking a semester off.</p>
<p>I agree with the other posters that you need to take care of your health first, and it sounds like you probably have something medical going on. It could be hormonal, depression, vitamin d - all kinds of things could be contributing. Take the time you need to get a diagnosis and get the right treatment, and then you’ll be back on track to not only succeed, but to enjoy your last year of college.</p>