I'm not sure if it's just me, but since freshman year in college I have been obsessed with the notion of "graduating on time," in and out in four years or you are a failure. Two years ago I was given the opportunity to work in the Florida Democratic party as a field organizer for the 2016 presidential election, this meant working every single day for a minimum of eighty hours a week with no days off.

When I got the job, my boss recommended that I didn't take any classes throughout the election season, warning me that there would not be enough hours in the day to dedicate the sufficient time needed to passes all my classes. I wanted the job, it was a once a lifetime opportunity to help elect the first female president of the United States (Ah, do you remember those time when the words Russia, collusion, and elections were not something we had ever thought about?) but the idea of taking time off and not graduating on time gave me cold feet. After talking to my mom, my decision was made, I was going to take a year off of school and work.

I think a fear many college students have is not finishing, the thought of paying thousands of dollars and not receiving a diploma is scary enough to keep you up at night. Even though I was proud of the work that I was doing, I felt a sense of shame knowing that I chose a job over my education. Seeing my roommates and friends cram for tests while I entered data into a system made me rethink my decision about once a week. I was jealous of them, I too wanted to stay up all night on my fourth cup of coffee writing a twenty-page paper but eventually realized it wasn't because I missed school, but because not being in school made me feel like an outcast.

Once I got over the notion that I needed to be in school to belong, I started appreciating the opportunity that was given to me. Walking away from college gave me the chance to talk to hundreds of voters and discuss the issues that were important to them. I met dozens of senators, governors, representatives and even got to introduce Eva Longoria at a rally. I fangirled with my coworkers when they got to meet Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine, Joe Biden and the one and only President Barack Obama (If you're reading this Barack, I miss you).

I look back at my campaign days not with regret but with pride, while we failed at electing our presidential candidate, we did succeed in electing those running for House of Representatives in the Orlando area. At twenty, I had worked in a national campaign and made enough connections to last me a lifetime, all because I got over my fear of being a fifth-year senior and taking my sweet time to walk across the stage.

If you're considering taking some time off to focus on your mental health, work or even reconsider your major-do it. You are young, you are capable and the worst thing that could happen? You just take a bit longer to take your grad photos and rock that cap and gown.