There is a social stigma that you have to go straight to college after high school and graduate with a degree in four years to be on your way into successful adulthood. I'm here to tell you that not everything needs to go by the book, especially your life.
Don't get me wrong – I'm a deans list type of girl who spends countless hours in the library, but you have to reward yourself every once in a while. Your 20s are a time to thrive and live a little on the edge (or a lot – its a preference thing really). It's okay to decide you need a break from the hectic life of nonstop studying and partying to go do something out of the ordinary. Here are a few of the top things that helped me know I needed to take a break.
1. Feeling burnt out.
Whether it's your major, a hard class, or just a rough semester, school can take a lot out of you. There are only so many days you can go without sleep, food, or even having fun. I spent so many hours studying and hanging out with my friends that I was consistently getting five hours of sleep or less and it really started to take a toll on me. I learned that sometimes it's more beneficial to take a break than trying to power through everything.
2. Needing time to think.
One of the hardest parts about college is choosing a major. It is a pretty big decision that can dictate what you do for the rest of your life. Whether you went in undeclared and never made a decision, or changed your major halfway through (or even multiple times) occasionally you just need time to do some soul searching and reflect on what truly matters to you. I've known from the start that medical school has been my path, but I couldn't figure out what my backup was, which made choosing a major impossible. After some time away, I was able to reflect on my life goals and choose a major that I'm really excited about.
3. Overall health.
College is both mentally and physically demanding and sometimes you can put your health on the back burner when trying to keep up on your classes and balancing a social life. It's important to realize when you need a break and for some, that means taking a full semester off to get back on track. With added spare time away from school, I was able to focus on my health and reintroduce working out and yoga into my life. I promise you, in the long run, being happy and healthy is a lot more important than graduating on time.
4. Needing to work on finances.
With exception of a lucky few, college tuition puts a lot of strain on your bank account. Even with a part time job, it's not always enough to pay for tuition, books, food, housing and any other activities you partake in. Summer is a good time to work hard and save some money, but that's not always enough. I spent a couple of months working at a restaurant near my house, making enough to be able to travel and still save for school. It's crazy how much you can save living at home for a semester while working full time.
5. Wanting to Travel.
Seeing and experiencing the world is the most amazing thing, but it's hard to find the time to do it. I took a semester off and spent two months backpacking through Europe and it is completely worth having to stay in school an extra semester. If you find that you have the money and are wanting some excitement in your life, I highly recommend just buying that plane ticket. Chances are you wont regret it.
Taking the last semester off was the best choice I could have made. I was able to focus on myself instead of the demands of school. I was able to finally choose a major I'm excited to pursue and I was able to save enough money to travel to 10 countries, countless cities and make memories that will last a lifetime. So next time you feel like you are too burned out, think about all of your options, including taking a break.
