Are you thinking about taking a break from college? Surely, you have good reasons for considering this. There are a lot of students at Maryville University that decide to take a breather for a semester or even an entire year. It’s a great way to relax your mind and body. Some people take vacations, while others pursue other ventures that can one day further their career, such as taking on an internship or job. If you’re not sure whether or not you should take a break from college, here are some pros and cons to consider.
PRO: Start Building Your Resume
You already have dedicated college student on your resume and hopefully some great extracurricular activities and involvement in community activities. Now, it’s time to start adding something a bit more professional, like interning at a company related to your industry. While everyone else is in school studying, you can do a short-term internship to build up your resume.
CON: Falling a Year Behind
One downside to taking a year off from college is the fact that you will be a year behind everyone else. Graduating a year later isn’t that bad, depending on your own personal goals. If your friends are going to college with you, you’ll have to be constantly reminded that they will graduate before you.
PRO: A Chance to Meet New People
You can meet a ton of people in college, some you may even call a friend. However, taking time off from school to go to work, take up an internship or travel the world can give you an opportunity to meet even more people.
PRO: More Experiences and Stories to Share
Your time away from school can be spent in any way you wish. You can go on a year-long trip backpacking in Indonesia or work part-time at a renowned company. Your experiences can make great stories to tell to your college buddies once you return.
CON: Your Expenses May Increase
If you’re planning to take a vacation and do other fun things during your time away from school, expect to pay a lot of money. Gas, plane tickets, hotel rooms and food aren’t exactly cheap these days. Be prepared to spend additional money than you would if you stayed behind at school.
PRO: Real World Learning Experience
There’s nothing like experiencing life for yourself. You hear adults talk about the “real world” all the time and like most kids, you want to see and do it all for yourself. If you don’t want to wait until after college to start experiencing life, you can take a semester off to begin right away.
CON: Wasting Precious Time
If you’re the type of person who likes to get things done, then staying in school until the end is a better option. The idea of falling behind will only bug you. It’s better if you choose to take time off if you’re super stressed out or have a really good reason for doing so.
These are just some of the ways taking time off from school can be good or bad. Weigh your options carefully before committing to time off.