Taking a break from college. Do i need to talk to someone before doing this?

Hi, i want to take a break from college and this is my first semester in college. I am really stressed and dont have a job, which makes it harder to get things for college. I have some grants and fafsa money, I also took out a loan recently. What do I need to do? Who should i ask and what should i ask? I want to come back to college next fall though. I currently go to a community college.

First make sure you understand what the problem is.

You are stressed. About what? Grades? money? Friends? Have you gone to the counseling center at your college?
It is hard to get things for college. Books? What else?

Once you know that, then talk to your adviser or the Dean of Students about your issues. Is there a way they can help you with the things that stress you?

For money, Can you get a part time job now? There are seasonal jobs (like at Target or toysrus) that you can get now.

Then talk to the financial aid office to understand the implications. For example, if you have a loan but are not enrolled in college, do you need to start paying back the loan? Will you be able to get that grant again or is it gone forever?

After you get all the info, then talk to your parents about what you have learned. Maybe they can get you more money for books rather than you taking a semester off.

I would consider everything bopper said; but also, it’s very easy to take off from cc and go back. So talk to your guidance counselor right away and make sure you get the financial stuff worked out at the financial aid center.

Also, colleges may have rules around taking credits within a certain amount of time in order to meet graduation requirements (for cc, you usually have a lot of flexibility here, but that is also something you want to find out)