What's a good way to tell my dad that I would like to take a semester off of school?

Answer 1

Maybe another idea is to suggest doing an internship. You can gather both valuable work experience and earn college credit at the same time. There are some paid internships out there. Disney is one of them.

Answer 2

I think if you just explain to him exactly why you want to take a semester off of school and why it's a good idea that you do, he'll be more receptive.

Some suggestions might include: you don't feel your current program of studies is working for you and you want to take a semester to think about a change, you're having academic difficulty and becoming stressed and not very productive, you're running out of money and need to work to get some funds, you're not sure this school fits your long range educational plans and want to research other schools... etc.

Do Not tell him that school is too hard, the atmosphere is wrong for you, your profs are too mean or that they're unfair markers. Although these may be the reasons you want to take a break, men don't respond to emotions, they respond more to logic and concrete reasoning.

Answer 3

The best way for him not to bug out (mine would have) is to present him with a plan that makes good sense.

What will you do during those six months?
Will the experience help you in your career field?
If you have scholarships or loans, will they still be good if you take a break?
How will the break effect your overall plan?

If you can answer these satisfactorily, then your father may not have a problem with it.

BUT STATISTICALLY, people who take a break with their education have a more difficult time going back.

Take me for example. I got my BA in four years, and seriously planned to get my MA right after, but I started working and it's 8 years down the road... and I don't have an MA.

Answer 4

There is no good way, but be prepared to have some very valid reasons. The best way to show a man anything is to have a visual presentation. Men are visual learners. For example, if you want to take a semster off to work, show him some research, explain the benefits, have reasons. If you want to travel then show him how you plan to finance it, what you want to do, where you want to go. Show him that you have knowledge and that you aren't just going to sit on your butt and waste time. It will go over much better. My dad is very difficult.. you have to prove your case. I had two very wonderful semesters off.

Answer 5

Well, a few years ago my daughter told me this, and I am a guy who is very big on education.

Nothing she could say was going to make me happy about this. But two things she said helped me accept her decision:

1. She pointed out to me that she really needed a semester off, and she had very good reasons for wanting it. I could tell it was not going to be productive to get into an argument about this.

2. She convinced me that she really was going to go back and complete her education (which, in fact, she did).

Answer 6

Write out a list of pros and cons so that he'll see that you have given this a great deal of thought and not say "NO!" right away. Make certain your reasons are based in logic and fact - not feeling. And PRAY! (You might want to go and light a candle to be on the safe side! But I draw the line at advocating sacrificing a goat or lamb. That would be going a little too far. I am joking here, OK?)

Answer 7

I'm assuming he's paying for your education, or this probably wouldn't be a issue. That being said, go to him with a gameplan: Why you need a break, what you plan to accomplish, etc. The more thought out and specific, the better chance he will respect and support your plan. Of course, you can always start with "Hey dad, the good news is you can take a vacation this year..."

Answer 8

Just tell him and explain why. If he's paying for it then he might have a big problem with it but if your paying for it don't worry too much about it. Just tell him you need a break and your start school again the next semester. Good luck!!!!

Answer 9

Have your job lined up, so you can tell him that you will be both paying off your student loans (or saving up for next year's fees), and gaining valuable experience in your chosen field. Be able to show him that you won't be wasting your time, that you have already thought out where you will live and what it will cost. Don't make him feel that you will just "veg."