Your leave of absence at your own PACE. People, Academics, Care & Engagement Let’s start with P: People PEOPLE: HEALTH-PROMOTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS This section is all about maintaining or building social connections and relationships during your leave of absence, which can be especially challenging. The strong feelings you identified earlier in this guide can be a barrier to connecting with others; often guilt, shame, and uncertainty can drive your actions of avoiding others on the chance that your leave or plans for the future come up in conversation. Additionally, visiting campus to connect with existing networks may be discouraged or restricted during your leave, or you may have moved and now live far from campus where visiting is not an option. Still, getting and staying connected to people, including natural, campus-based supports, is critical for wellness, a sense of belonging, and ultimately a successful and smooth re-entry to campus. In this section, you will have an opportunity to examine your feelings about socializing and connecting, to inventory your existing connections and satisfaction with those connections, and set goals for making new connections (or reconnections). Let’s start off with exploring how you feel about connecting with others.
Everyone’s academic journey is their own. It’s tough to think you’re falling behind, but college isn’t a race. Do what is best for you. No one is judging you for taking a leave of absence, even if you think they are.” - RACHAEL C -
Your Leave of Absence from College Guide: Taking a Leave at your own PACE • 12
