Hello, I hope all is well with you. I’m not sure what type of advice you will be able to give for this but anything will be really helpful. I started university at 17 and I’m less than 20 weeks I’ll be graduating. It’s a four and a half year program compressed in only two years. I’ve had endless assignments and projects with little to no breaks. Durning any holiday brake I get I take that time to get more school done so I don’t have to stress or worry about it durning the following week. With uni coming to an end we’re supposed to start putting out our portfolio for companies but I have no idea what company I want to work for. My mom said I should take a six month break soon as I graduate, give myself a breather and do small on tut side jobs like freelancing or tutoring. (I do game animation/3D Art) but I don’t know if that’s a good idea? Like I’ll be missing out and other people will see me as lazy for taking six months off and I’ll fall behind.
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Hey love,
Thank you so much for reaching out to Asking Jude. Making a decision like this can definitely be overwhelming. It can be helpful to talk about this with a family member or friend. If you feel it may be helpful to discuss this or anything else with a professional, here is a link for a resource to find therapists near you: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.
That being said, we know that healthcare can be expensive in many countries, so Asking Jude has its own peer counseling service as an alternative to traditional counseling. This service is pay-what-you-can and completely remote (usually being given over text messaging and/or audio/video calling). If you're interested, reach out to us at jude@askingjude.org.
You are extremely hardworking, and oftentimes, when we become used to non-stop work, we can feel guilty for taking any type of break. I definitely recommend trying to incorporate even little breaks in your schoolwork schedule to help clear your mind and prevent burnout.
In terms of deciding whether or not to take the six-month break, I think either option has its benefits. I think taking the break can give you the time you need to reset, revitalize, and potentially help you discover new passions or even realize the type of company you’d like to work for. Not taking the break may prevent you from having worries about possibly missing out on opportunity, but there is also a risk of burning out which could be harmful to your productivity in the long run.
There is absolutely no reason to feel guilty about taking breaks or rest, especially when it benefits your mental health. Here is a quick article you can read about how to not feel guilty about taking breaks: https://sites.dartmouth.edu/learning/2019/02/18/take-breaks-and-dont-feel-guilty-about-it/. Although it’s hard, and it may feel like people will “think you are lazy,” I promise you that prioritizing what makes you happy and healthy is what’s most important. Plus, you have the support of your mom!
As mentioned, there are many pros and cons to either option, so writing these out in a list can also be helpful in making your decision, But, of course, please don’t hesitate to reach out again–we are here for you!
You are amazing, and you got this! Love,
Jordan Sadan <3