forms and strings

In October, when it started to dawn on me that I am really burnt out with the University, my adviser suggested that I take a Leave of Absence and do a semester at a technical college. Within a week or two I filled out the LOA forms at the U, and applied to Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC).

The idea is that because MCTC is so close to my house (thereby cutting out the 45-minute, 1-way commute to class), the classes are so much less expensive, and the whole environment is different, I'll be able to continue working on my degree requirements without the grind of the past 2 1/2 years that's brought me to this point of frustration.

But I'm really not sure. I mean, I'm not feeling good about this. Given how this semester at the U has gone (horribly), how engaged I've been in my classes there (not at all) and how tired and burnt out and apathetic I feel about schoolwork (REALLY), it doesn't seem worthwhile to sign myself up for more schoolwork-- even if it's in a different environment. Chemistry, Microeconomics and Public Speaking classes don't sound like "a break," no matter where I take them.

Okay, on one hand: I don't want to "quit" school. I don't want a rough patch to turn into a "and now it's too late" situation. I don't want to say, "I'll go back next semester," and then never do it. Even if I just took one class, that would be forward movement...

On the other hand: If I do terribly in that one class, it will be a waste of time, money and energy. If I'm going to "take time off" from school, 3 1/2 months (1 semester) isn't very long. I'm working full time now, and I need to do that to start chipping away at my debt, so I'll still be working really hard.

I say all this now, because all I have to do to be officially enrolled at MCTC is to go down and turn in a form, take a 1-hour placement test, and sign up for the class(es) I want. But once I do that, and all the financial aid balls start rolling and everything is crossed and dotted... I am committed to another institution for another period of time.