The idea of taking a semester off has a lot of appeal, especially if you are in the middle of a tough semester with exams to face and term papers to complete. However, taking a semester off can help you or hurt you depending on why and how you do it. Let’s look at the pros and cons of skipping a semester at college.
The first step in making a decision about whether you should take a semester off is to carefully look at your true motives for taking the time off. Are you just reacting to all the pressure and looking for a way to do more partying without having to worry about college? If this is what is driving your decision, then taking a semester off will probably not bring you any positive results. Sometimes, students who take the semester off cannot get back into the rhythm of college life and drop their studies.
Maybe you want to take the semester off because you feel stuck in a routine or because you need a change in your life. If this is your reason for skipping the semester, then the change of scene could help you to recharge your batteries and come back to college with a greater zeal and enthusiasm. This would definitely be something positive for you.
Perhaps your reason to take a semester off is so that you can “find yourself” and get a better idea about what your life is all about. A semester in pursuit of self discovery often takes the form of travel abroad, learning foreign languages or serious introspective study. If you indeed take the semester off and learn a new language or other skills that you wouldn’t have gotten in college, then it will also be a positive step towards helping you complete college with much success.
Greater self-awareness and maturity will make you a better student because it will give you genuine motivation to do your academic work. Countless students fail in college because they are not sure why they are in college, and not sure if their studies are even relevant to their lives. If you come back to college, after a semester of self-discovery or maturation, then you will probably return with a different outlook and this should yield better academic results.
Finally, maybe you want to take the semester off so that you can do some social service or do your part to make the world a better place. Should you choose this path, there are lots of volunteer opportunities available in the United States and also abroad. A semester spent helping others will give you a new perspective on life and this can be a perfect way to start the second half of your college career.
Look before your leap. Examine your reasons for taking a semester off. If you are doing it help others, discover something about yourself or learn new skills then it could be a very important step for you to take and you can take the semester off without reducing your chances of graduating.
Andrew Marshall is a freelance writer whose interests include online degree programs, online colleges, and distance education.
categories: college,colleges,university,universities,higher education,career preparation,personal growth,higher education