Hi Mia. Thank you for sharing details of your situation. You have difficult decisions ahead that only you can make. With limited knowledge of your situation, it may be dangerous for anyone to suggest what is best for you. With the idea that you might find some of it useful, I would like to share a little about me. After graduating high school, I enrolled in college courses and subsequently dropped them before attending the first day. Some in my family did not graduate high school and no one had obtained an undergraduate degree. There was little importance placed on education and much placed on getting a job, making more money and paying bills. I continued progressing in the workforce, making more money, paying more bills and dabbling in education. After progressing to the position of Area Operations Manager for a multinational oil and gas services firm - at an annual income of ~$200K/yr - it became much clearer to me that education is incredibly important and one of the few things that you will always have. There were a lot of highly educated people around me. My son had graduated high school and was headed to a highly rated university on a pre-med path. From the time that he was old enough to listen, we told him that college was not optional yet I had not obtained an undergraduate degree. I left the workforce, became a full time student and completed a couple of degrees. For me it was mostly about setting priorities. The things that generated most of the bills that precipitated the need to make more money are gone, the education is here, life is good. There are an incredible amount of resources available to support those who want to continue education beyond high school. There are federal and state goals and numerous initiatives - scholarships, grants, loans - to support them. I stocked shelves for a couple of years after high school. It was only as laid back as the educated supervisor decided it would be.

I promise you stocking is not laid back.. nothing in grocery is laid back, always on the go, however, I myself love it. I prefer grocery over clothing or jewelry anyday.

Do not take time off from school. Cut down on any expence that will hender that process. School is & should always be your 1st 2nd & last priority until your have completed the requirements.

Before deciding to take time off of school, try to see if there is alternative way. If you live on campus, see if you can commute to school. It's okay to want a source of income, but dropping school altogether is a bigger battle.

I suggest you don't drop out of school because that makes it harder to go back every year. I suggest you pray to God, if you are a believer in Christ. When I wanted to graduate from college everything got in my way. You are going to have some adversaries, but remember they will just slow you down but can't stop you. When you start everyday off with "I will" and "I can" instead of "How will I?" you will find yourself accomplishing your dreams. Remember your first gut probably was to finish school off as soon as possible. Stay with your first gut and don't let it become a forgotten dream.

I suggest doing two things. Download the app. Scholly to apply for numerous scholarships and find a paid internship opportunity. The paid internship could be in your field of study or possibly in something that you are not studying but you have a high interest in. Either choice no matter the amount of work your will be able to enjoy it or use it as an alternative option for education until you are able to afford returning to school if you decide to take time off. The best part about finding a paid internship in your field of study is that you will for one of course get paid, but most important you will gain working experience which is ideal for your enrichment and resume! I hope this helps. Take care and never stop; there is always an alternative! ;-)