Over the course of two years, I went to the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, where I made long lasting friends and completed the majority of all my general classes. However, I was still undecided in what I actually wanted to major in. I became frustrated and felt like I needed time away from school to help me sort things out and spend more time figuring out what it is I enjoyed doing and what I wanted to do with my life.

Although my parents wanted me to continue school right away, they were understanding when they realized I was serious about taking some time off. After much debate, I eventually took the first semester of my junior year off. Instead, I'm working full time as a bartender and I was also serving tables as a waitress too in order to save up money. At this point it's only been a few a months plus the months I worked through summer, but I have the most money I've ever had saved up. It's a satisfying feeling knowing that at least I have something to show for all the work I've put in, but even more so when I realize that all the money I have saved is going to go back into my schooling or into bettering myself and my circumstances.

Not only have I gained more money saving skills and more experience working, I've also had more time to actually think about what I want to study when I go back to school next semester, and I believe I finally have more of a solid idea than I ever have had before. With the amount of hours I have been working, I'm finally starting to get excited about going back to school and not having to work as much. Instead, putting that effort towards my education is what I really want to see myself doing at school.

And because I haven't been away at school, my relationships with my family, boyfriend, and those close to me have gotten even stronger. It's relieving knowing I have people here who will help me and support me when I need it in deciding what's best for my future. At this point I may transfer schools, but I'm doing so with the intention of going after what I want to do and still being able to work and be with those that are close to me.

Most importantly though, taking this time off from school has taught me much more about myself than I could've imagined. I've learned how hard I can work and that I need to apply it into myself and continue growing and learning. I learned that I really do want to finish school as much as I hate it sometimes, because I hate waiting tables and working for other people even more. Rather, I'm finally ready to put my all back into myself and my schooling for the bettering of my life and future. I know with the support I have and the determination, I'm bound to exceed my own expectations.

I feel so much relief in having taken some time off of school and am learning so much throughout the process, that I feel like I made the right decision for myself. I'm learning more and more about myself everyday, and I can't wait to see where the end of this semester and the beginning of next semester takes me.