Can you take a break in the middle of college and pick it up again later?

[Abcde11]

@N's Mom

This is typical of most schools: If you notify them by whatever the deadline is before the semester starts, it’s usually not a problem to take time off. But each school has their own rules.

Our D took shorter periods off during her college career, but that was to pursue academic interests elsewhere: Study abroad she organized herself in both cases because it was less expensive and less restrictive than goes with school-based programs - but I assume this isn’t what you are talking about.

So I see that this * is * common. Good to know. Would you say most schools only allow this at the semester mark, or would most schools be alright with quarters as well?

Also, I’m very, very curious to hear more about what your daughter did. Just to get things straight: she studied abroad completely independently, without the help of a school-based program? (if I decided to travel, this actually is what I would prefer to would do). You also said that she took shorter periods off during her college career. What do you mean by ‘shorter’ - a few weeks, a few months, etc. I was originally interested in this (the idea of taking short periods of time off during college to travel), but I was told this was impossible. I was told that colleges don’t allow you to simply leave for two months to travel. Is this what your daughter did?

@happymomof1

This is more common than you think. Lots of people stop and re-start their educations. One of my sisters took a 20 year break in her education in order to raise 5 kids. And yes, her old credits from previous institutions did transfer into her final degree program.

If you intend to return to the same place where you are currently studying, do meet with your advisors there and find out what steps to take to smooth the process. Each place sets its own policies and procedures for this.

Alright. That’s good information to know. In general, would you say the ease of picking up again depends on the rigor of the school? - for example, it’s easier to stop and start up again at a community college versus a UC, versus a very competitive private school. Or is this just a myth.