Give Yourself a Break - Taking Time Off from College or Grad School

You slaved over SATs or GREs. You stressed over letters of recommendations, dorm room arrangements, term papers and group projects. You've been in school for months or maybe years, and burnout is seeping in. You've hit a stumbling block -a looming thesis, a financial crisis or an emotional meltdown, and you need a break. But does taking a hiatus from your education really throwing it all away?

Luckily, more students than ever are deciding to take a hiatus from their college or graduate school careers. Once seen as the realm of slackers or failures, the stigma of "taking a break" has eroded as the community takes a more serious look at students' mental health. Far from being the death knell of your educational career, your job prospects or your life, taking a break from school can open doors you never thought existed - and clear the way for a more productive and constructive educational experience.

Should I Go?

If you've considered taking a leave of absence, the first step is to get serious and ask yourself a few questions about the nature of your discontentment. Why are you considering leaving? Is this merely a matter of finals stress or a serious issue? Take stock of your situation. Are your grades suffering because of an unexpected setback? Are you unhappy with a particular course or professor? What is your living situation like? Have you made a good effort to mediate the stress that inevitably comes with school?

Try to specify what the problem is, how it affects you, and whether it can realistically be solved. Can you get tutoring or other assistance? Can you switch majors, classes or dorms? Can you take out a loan to minimize financial pressure? If such changes can't be made, it might be time to consider a leave of absence.

How Do I Do It?