Taking a leave of absence from college

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>I would like to just take a year, maybe a year-and-a-half off, to develop myself. </p>

<p>I go to a public university, am in the top 15 percent of my graduating class, and I'm pretty damn involved in college activities, but I just want a break so ****** bad (sorry for the language!). And thinking about it, I can't see myself staying at my current school for more than another semester. I'm no longer interested in it. I applied to a school in California as a transfer, so if I'm accepted I'll HAPPILY continue my studies there, but if I don't, then what??</p>

<p>I've always been a great student, and I've had more than one professor tell me that I had a "beautiful mind" and everything, but I'd like some time to do other things. I went part time this semester to do just that (have a break from academics for once). But, it was far from it. On top of taking 10 credits, I'm involved in two university clubs and am second-in-command at my university's daily college newspaper. I also work in retail 15-30 hours a week.</p>

<p>My life is just so stressful. I want to do yoga because I heard that really relieves stress, but it's kinda hard to when someone is tryna text you every damn minute, and with all these other obligations. The only personal obligation I do that I WANT to is go to the gym, which I haven't been able to do in eight days!!! I just feel too many people know me, and people are always on me, and I have to do everything in such a small time frame. I feel far from an average college student, and that I have too much on my plate...I've felt like this for a little over a year now. I just want to go FARRR WEST where no one knows me, and become the person I really think I am (without others' expectations, etc). </p>

<p>I want to move away from my small, isolated state, to another school, something. I need a change. And, I feel like taking a break (for once in my life pleasee) would really help me. I want to focus on developing myself so that one day, I can develop and implement the passions I have for the future. My developing myself, I mean expand my horizons, work on myself, volunteer with the local Habitat for Humanity. </p>

<p>I won't be playing video games every day, or sleeping until 2 p.m. I will be working on myself. And a huge thing is...I DON'T want to live in my current state (RI) during this time off. </p>

<p>The problem is, my mom refuses it. I pay my tuition, but she tells me if I take a year off I will have to begin paying loans back. I'm responsible, but don't have the money or means to do that right now.</p>

<p>I just want your opinion on the subject. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>It sounds to me like you’ve already made up your mind. (:
I think that if this is important to you and you feel like you need it, then you should do it, whether you transfer schools or just take a bit of time off. The only thing I’d say is that a year is really a long time; I know it may not seem like it, but a semester may be a good amount of time for you.
Another thing you might consider but could be a financial burden is study abroad through your university. I studied abroad my junior year of high school, and it helped me incredibly, and I think it would help you in the same way. There’s something about going to a country where you don’t know anyone and there’s a culture you don’t know that’s energizing and challenging, but not stressful. I dunno. Consider it!</p>