Did any of you take a break when you were going to college? I did. It was after my third year at Biola. I was mentally exhausted. The transition from public high school to private college took a lot out of me. I think it was a combination of burnout and lack of maturity. I knew I needed to do something about it.
Taking time off is scary. At the same time, it can really help if you do things to help yourself get out of the rut you're in. So I took a semester and a summer off. I flew home and got a job at the Princess Kaiulani Hotel -- one of Waikiki's premier resorts. Here's the view from one of its rooms.
Six nights a week I bussed tables at this restaurant.
It was the ideal situation. I made good money, plus I could surf every day. This pic was taking during this time.
I returned to Biola when I felt ready and could really commit. That hiatus in Hawaii was just what the doctor ordered. Fully refreshed, I was able to complete my bachelor's, then my master's, and finally my doctorate without taking any more breaks.
The lesson here: Taking time off from college doesn't mean you're a failure. College is extremely demanding, and not every person flies right through it. I certainly didn't. Take your time and be gentle on yourself. Everything will eventually figure itself out. Go ahead, take that break, experience life, experiment, do some fun activities, spend time with people you love and care about, find a good paying job, and save.
For me, it was so worth it.