Taking a break – from school

A former student in Amherstburg wants students to know they can take a year off, if they want to.

Samantha Gibb, 19, began the school year at St. Clair College in 2018, enrolled in the Human Resources Business Administration program. She eventually dropped out.

“I felt like school was not really personalized towards what people needed. It was a lot of pressure to go and I did not know what I wanted to do,” said Gibb. “I just picked a course and ended up not liking it.”

She dropped out for a couple of reasons, ranging from her schedule to a lack of understanding between her and the professors. According to Gibb, if she did not understand something, the teacher would not go any further to help unless she specifically asked. During class, she would be confused and lost, having to figure out what to do after.

“I would like to go back within the next year or two for massage therapy,” said Gibb. “I do not know if massage therapy would be my dream job but I think it is something I would enjoy.”

Gibb said, leaving school felt good because she needed a break. Her mental and physical health were not affected.

Amanda Fox is a student attending St. Clair College in the Pre-Health Sciences program.

“This semester I have school all day on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The rest of the week I only have one class for two hours. I feel exhausted, I need to go for walks on my breaks just to wake up,” said Fox.

She thought about dropping out, but has not because she does not want to fall behind. She feels the college would see her as a slacker.

“I feel like people drop out because, kind of like in my situation . . . It is so much work,” said Fox.

Fox also began working at Gilligan’s Restaurant in Amherstburg as a waitress last September. She said she sometimes thinks about working instead of going to school but does not want to be a waitress for the rest of her life.

Gibb doesn’t have a job. She’s not sure what she wants to do.

“I feel like I am a little stuck in a rut right now because I am still looking for a job,” said Gibb. “Knowing I am going back anyways, kind of makes me feel a little better. I do not want to be stuck having a boring job.”

Both Gibb and Fox are interested in biology and their dream jobs would be in health or science.

According to Gibb, she would regret not returning to school.

“If I did not go back I do not think I would be living a stable life off of minimum wage,” said Gibb.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2016, more than half of Canadians ranging from 25 to 64 had either college or university qualifications, up from 48.3 per cent in 2006. Canada has continued to rank first college or university graduates.

Gibb suggests to take a year off to decide what you want to do and let your body rest.