“So, what classes are you taking next semester?”

It was an innocent question that I got from someone that I knew around this time last year. It wasn’t a close friend—more like an acquaintance—so I didn’t really want to tell them that I was taking the next semester off. I knew that if I mentioned that, I would likely be bombarded with questions: Why? Where are you going? What are you doing with your time? Are you coming back? Did something happen? Does anyone else know?

Laura Ancona | Student Life

I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I deflected the question with a not-so-subtle “Wait, but tell me about YOUR classes first! ;)”

I didn’t want to give an exhaustingly lengthy explanation as to why I was leaving for a bit. At the time, I was barely confident in my own decision; what if I ended up regretting it? What if I should’ve never taken the semester off to begin with? What if I didn’t end up happy with the way I spent the next four months?

Thankfully, that didn’t happen. I ended up spending my time interning in a new city, meeting great people, learning about myself and also learning how to get rid of the mouse infestation in my apartment—you know, adult stuff.

Basically, it was one of the best choices I’ve made in college. It was also one of the most personal decisions I’ve made. A lot of factors contributed to why I chose to take a semester off, but it came down to the fact that I realized I could graduate a semester early. Instead of doing that, I figured it would be more useful to take the semester off to do an internship. That way, I could get work experience, while also saving one semester’s worth of tuition.

It is unconventional, but it isn’t that uncommon. It can be difficult to navigate, though. Lucky for you, it’s almost Thanksgiving, and Aunt Rima is here to give you some unsolicited advice (And also eat all the cranberries! Man, I love cranberries). Just like your regular aunt, I’m going to ask you 17 questions that you’d rather not answer, but unlike your regular aunt, I will understand if you don’t have all the answers! If any of my own aunts are reading this: No, I still don’t have a boyfriend! Thanks!

But anyway, back to you. If you’ve been thinking about taking a semester off, and you’re on the fence about it, here are a few things to consider.

1. What are your reasons?

There’s a diverse array of reasons why you’d consider taking a semester off: You want to work or intern, you want to focus on your mental health, maybe there’s a family thing happening, etc. Try to pinpoint the exact reasons that you want to leave, and—forgive me for sounding like your mom—make a list. Weigh the pros and cons. If the issue is school-related, is it something that you can resolve while still being on campus? What are the risks involved in leaving for a semester?

2. Where do you want to go?

Based on your reasons, figure out where the best place is for you to be next semester. Would it be useful to be in your hometown living with your family? Or do you want to experience being in another city? You don’t have to have one place locked down just yet; it’s OK to keep a few options open. Just remember that you’re going to have to choose eventually.

3. What will you do there?

I know, I know: This is the worst part. But on the bright side, it’s the most straightforward part of the process. If you want to intern, start creeping through LinkedIn and find companies that you like. If you want to work, start looking for jobs. If you want to be at home with your family, start talking to them about that. If you want to be at a place where you’ll have support and resources for specific issues you’re dealing with (like rehab, for example), start with your advisor (who can likely direct you to a more specific person that can help).

4. How will you pay for this?

This mostly applies if you’re planning on being in another city, especially for an internship. The good news is that it’s likely going to cost you much, much less than a semester at Washington University. The bad news is that rent/utilities/transportation/food/general cost of existing isn’t free. Would your parents be willing to contribute? If so, will it be enough to cover your time there? If not, time to map out a work plan. If you’re looking for suggestions, working as a tutor through companies like Wyzant or Chegg is a good way to make decent cash.

5. Do you know how long you’ll be gone?

When I told my professors that I was taking a semester off, some of them responded with a raised eyebrow and an ominous warning to “come back.” I never indicated that I wasn’t coming back; the last time I checked, a semester is a fixed amount of time. That being said, the length of your leave of absence will be based in your personal circumstances. Will you be ready to return after a semester off? Or are you going to feel it out along the way? If you leave, will you still be able to graduate on time? If not, are you OK with that? If you choose that you don’t want to come back, more power to you—don’t feel pressured to make what everyone else thinks is the “right” decision if it’s not right for you.

6. How are you going to tell people?

Technically, you don’t have to tell anyone that you’re leaving—it’s really no one’s business but your own. I didn’t tell that many people the details of my leave of absence. Even though you don’t have to tell anyone, keep in mind that people are still going to wonder where you went. They’ll probably ask you or your friends what happened to you, and you’re going to have to explain it at some point. Personally, I wish I had saved myself the headache by making a Facebook status about my plans, rather than endlessly having to explain things to every person who texted me, “r u dead?”

7. Is it worth it?

Look, making this decision can be agonizing. When I was on the fence about it, I was terrified about the uncertainty of my semester off. This time last year, I didn’t have a location, an internship, a job or much of plan. I applied to a million places and hoped for the best. Once I figured out where I was going to be and what I’d be doing, I was still scared that I would hate it. The point is that you’re never not going to feel uncertain. At the risk of sounding like that stoner in your philosophy class, you have to accept the unknown.

I can’t tell you if you’re going to regret taking a semester off, and I can’t tell you if it’s going to be the time of your life. But, I can tell you this: If you think it’s the best thing for you to do, then do it.