If you told the high school me that I would be taking an entire year off from college, I would have laughed and brushed you off. Flash forward three years, Lupus had other plans for me. I never imagined that my health would cause me to have to take a medical leave from school. However, It was something that I needed to do, for my overall well-being. When I first brought up that I was taking the semester off to family and friends, I received comments supporting me, but I also received comments like "you're going to regret this," and "you're never going to go back...you're basically dropping out." After going on my second semester off from school, I can confidently say, that I do not have any regrets.

And here's why:

1. I have been able to rest. Between classwork, homework, studying, and clubs when you're in college, there really isn't any time to slow down. One of the most important things for a person with a chronic illness to do is rest. When I first took a leave of absence from school, I slept for what seemed like days. I didn't realize how much my body desperately needed sleep and to just to just slow down for a bit.
2. I have been able to re-evaluate my future goals. My dream job for a while was to be a cruise director. When I was diagnosed with lupus, I had to come up with a back up plan. I was always interested in psychology and I absolutely adore children, so my back up plan became to be a school counselor/psychologist. After the last few weeks, my rheumatologist inspired me to become a psychologist with a specialty in chronic illnesses/diseases.
3. I have the time to focus strictly on my health. As of the last few months, this disease has kicked my butt. I've had flare up after flare up, infection after infection, and procedure after procedure. With that being said, I've been in and out of doctors offices pretty much every single week. I am able to put my full self into treatment. I am able to do a trial and error with different medications to find the ones that work for me without having to worry if an appointment is going to interfere with class/study time.
4. I have been able to address my mental health. I didn't realize when I was diagnosed with this disease how much of an impact it would have on me mentally and emotionally. Going to new doctor appointment, emergency appointments, and specialty appointments, then adding in not feeling well and sometimes having to rely on people to take you there is exhausting. And I've learned with great friends, and a few sessions with an awesome therapist, that self care is important and healthy coping mechanisms are necessary.
5. I have put myself first. This is something that I don't ever seem to do. But I was able to tell what my body needed and I didn't let the "you're going to regret this" comments stop me from realizing what I needed.

Even though right now, I may not be as "improved" as I thought I would be at this point, I do not regret it. I may not have all of the answers I have hoped for from my doctors, but I do not regret it. I do not see this decision at all as a "regret." The only "regret" I have is putting my health last for so long. In the long run, putting my health first is going to make me a better student, when I am healthy enough to go back. My dad always says, "without good health, we have nothing." And he's right.

For anyone in college thinking about taking a semester off, do it. There's always going to be people who give you grief about taking time off. Listen to what they have to say but don't take disagreements personally. Do what you need to do to make yourself the best and healthiest person that you could be.