<p>So, I love my school. I do. I love the people, I love my classes, I love my activities. </p>
<p>I just NEED something different. I need to break away, I need to like pop this bubble and just.. I don't know.</p>
<p>I'm not unhappy. I am content...but sometimes. But I can never pinpoint why I'm not. I'm enjoying myself here, but I just want to be somewhere else sometimes.</p>
<p>I considered transferring, but it's really not that. </p>
<p>I was thinking studying abroad, but I'm not sure if that's it either. It just doesn't feel right. </p>
<p>And when I think about taking a semester off, it's like- what would I do? </p>
<p>I'm already ahead in my class, so if I take on one extra class I'm a whole semester ahead. :\ If it helps, I'm a sophomore right now. I'm two classes away from finishing my major Psychology, and a little bit into my concentration of law. </p>
<p>around, you have your entire life ahead of you and it will not matter a single bit if you take a semester or two off. You may have felt like you have been on an academic treadmill since freshman year in HS and just need a break. </p>
<p>However there may be other issues at play here too. A low key visit to your college's health center may be a good idea too. There may be physical or emotional factors which are the root cause for your ennui. And try to be totally honest with yourself in trying to identify any other issues independent from college which may be a factor for your feelings. If there are, taking a break from the college "grind" may or may not resolve them.</p>
<p>But again, taking a break from college at this stage of your life is certainly no big deal. </p>
<p>There are weird problems with taking a semester off that you should work out before you do it.</p>
<p>Will you lose your health insurance? Some policies require immediate notification if the student isn't a full-time student anymore. Others don't</p>
<p>Will your car insurance rates go up prohibitively, if you're planning to drive while you're taking the time off?</p>
<p>Can you keep any scholarships/loans you have? Does your school have automatic re-enrollment or will you have to reapply? Can you get credit for any course work you do while you're taking time off?</p>
<p>My son took a semester off this past spring, which worked well for him, but if he'd taken the fall off instead of the spring, he would have lost his health insurance. The car insurance was okay because of the specific dates of the insurance, but if our policy had renewed in June instead of July, it would have been an issue, strangely.</p>
<p>Good luck... just make sure you check EVERYTHING out.</p>
<p>D's friend took semester off and worked at a ski resort in the winter, pool lifeguard in the summer. Came back to school refreshed and ready to work. And with a stunning tan.</p>
<p>It sounds like maybe this school isn't challenging enough for you. You're ahead of your class and almost finished with your major as a sophmore. If the school is of the right calibre for you, how about a second major? Sounds like you might need more of a stretch.</p>
<p>You said that you thought about a semester abroad but thought it didn't "feel right." Check into all the options. There are now programs for a semester onboard a cruise ship travelling the world, as well as the traditional foreign country trips.</p>
<p>Also, if you are so far ahead in your academics, perhaps you are concentrating too much on that part of your life and not balancing yourself socially, academically, spiritually, and athletically. If all you're learning in college is from your lectures and textbooks, then you aren't learning everything. Take the time to learn about yourself. If you're at burnout, discover why. Allow a little discomfort so you can examine it. You're studying psychology, so apply some of what you've learned to your own life.</p>
<p>By the way, everyone in college will experience times of distress (or even depression), burn out, or what I call "gypsy feet"--wanting a new environment and a new challenge. Before you apply a solution--taking a semester off or studying abroad--identify what is causing this.</p>
<p>I’m in sort of the same situation. I’m a freshman and when I tell people that I want to take a semester off they just tell me that it’s because it’s my first year and everything. But the thing is, I don’t mind the homework, I don’t mind the papers, and I don’t even mind the tests. I love my school but I just don’t like living on campus at all. I live close by, but I’m just out of range of commuting. I love my roommates but I just don’t work well living here. I’m thinking about just taking the spring semester off to cool my head and take some online courses and some in the summer to play catch up so I’m still on course. </p>
<p>I think we both just need to do what we think is best for us. Nobody knows you better than you, and only you can make the right choice. For me, I don’t mind taking longer to graduate if that’s what needs to happen. Just do what is going to be best for you.</p>
<p>I think the key to successfully taking a semester off is to have a plan. Figure out what it is that you need–study abroad, internship, work experience–before you leave college. That’s not always easy and the OP might want to talk to a counselor to get some advice on planning for that semester off.</p>
<p>Just an FYI - the OP started this thread 3 years ago. I doubt it’s still an issue. However, kady56nt, you also should discuss this with your college’s counseling office (either career or health). This is all new to you, but it isn’t to them. They’ve heard it all before and can advise you more specifically.</p>
<p>And the insurance information mentioned above is a serious concern; talk to your parents about it.</p>