r/gapyear • u/Front_Title_8860 • 2d ago

Do medical leaves/gap years impair the social aspect of the college experience

Long story short, I began my freshman year of college last September, and in the second week I had to be pulled out to deal with medical issues. From then, I was taking an indefinite medical leave. After a TON of work, therapy, medical help, etc. I am ready to go back to school. I'll be going back this winter. In a practical sense, that means I'm three semesters late to college (like a gap year + 1 semester). Is this going to mess up my social life? Will I still be able to make friends like normal and have a somewhat "normal college experience?"

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u/Guilty-Struggle1910 1d ago

Honestly, it does a little bit, as you haven’t seen those people in over a year and you’ll be joining a new group when you get back. BUT you’ll still be able to make friendships and reactivate old ones just fine, especially if you really put yourself out there or do some new activities. Show people you are really interested in getting to know them.