<p>I'm in my first semester of my first year of college and I was wondering what the ramifications of taking the next semester off would be (from the perspective of potential employers, graduate schools, etc). I'm currently a computer science major and I can't keep up with it. My two hard classes are Intro to Programming with C and Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (both honors). While I have a difficult time really wrapping my head around the concepts of programming, I'm doing well in the class. Calc, on the other hand, I do not understand in the slightest and I currently have a C in the class (we don't use a +/- scale). I'm struggling with it to the extent that I know I can't pursue Comp. Sci as a major because I won't be able to successfully fulfill the math requirements (Calc II, III, Differential Equations, etc). If I were to drop Comp. Sci as a major I have no idea what I would switch it to. I've talked to all my advisors and none have provided me with even an inkling of what I'd like to career-wise making choosing another major that much more difficult. Also, I'm likely going to lose my National Merit Scholarship because of my grade in Calc. </p>
<p>To make matters worse, I came in with enough AP credits that I have now fulfilled the entirety of my schools Gen Ed Program, so I'm out of time - I can't just take classes until I decide what I want to do. So the only solution to this that I can think of is to take no classes at all and take a semester off and work, volunteer, do internships, etc at many different types of places to try to get some idea of what I want to do with my life. Will doing so really hurt my chances of getting into a grad school (if that's the path I eventually take) or getting a job? Are there any other risks I just haven't thought of? I could really use some advice. I'm not really worried about the effect it will have on my scholarships since I'm probably going to lose them because of my grades anyway.</p>