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To The College Student Who Wants To Take A Semester Off

We are only human, and college is difficult and overwhelming.

Mary Kaydon Thompson

Sep 02, 2016

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

104

To The College Student Who Wants To Take A Semester Off

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College is a great experience where you get to learn new things and meet new people. It allows you to get involved on campus and in your college community. You are constantly trying to balance your school work with your social life and your extracurricular activites. After a while, the feeling of constantly being overwhelmed becomes too much and we you feel like you want to take a semester off.

I am here to tell you this: if you think you need the semester off, take it. I remember when I got so overwhelmed that I had panic and anxiety attacks. My poor health was keeping me out of class and brought my GPA down. Please understand that it is okay to take that semester off. It is okay to put your physical and mental health before those five 40-page reading assignments and three papers that are due in less than a week. It is okay to put you first.

With that being said, I am not encouraging you to quit college. You should take some time to get back on your feet and get your health back to where it should be. For most people, that is usually 1-2 college semesters. Your education is very important and it should be something you want to continue to pursue.

People will constantly give you grief about taking that semester off. They will almost always say, "You are just using this as an excuse to not go to school. You are dropping out." Block them out, please. They do not understand your situation or why you made the decision to take that semester off. They have no say if they do not have any influence on your health. You owe them no explanation.

Lastly, learn from your semester off. Learn not to put your health on the back burner. If you get sick or you are facing a significant amount of stress, go to the doctor or a counselor and seek assistance. In college, a number of resources are available to you for free. Make sure you are using them as you need them. I can tell you from personal experience, that putting my health last was probably the biggest regret you will ever make in your college career. Therefore, take time to recooporate and get back to finishing your degree. If no one else tells you, I am proud of you for putting yourself first and being brave enough to go back and finish you degree.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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To The College Student Who Wants To Take A Semester Off

We are only human, and college is difficult and overwhelming.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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