Will I be able to recover?

[Saiyan]

In my course of engineering study, we have a hectic schedule till June 09 and we won't even have a proper vacation. After all the exams, only one week of summer vacation will be given and then we'll start the second year of the course!

Given this hectic schedule, there is no other option for me but to give a 9 month break to my Japanese learning. I am still only in the middle of the newbie level and so I have a doubt whether I will be able to recover from the break? Will I be able to recollect all that I have learnt? Of course this depends on how well I have learnt, but will the basic skills like kana remain or will I have to learn them all over again? What are your thoughts?

[jaypunkrawk]

Keep up your studies somehow! I don't think you'll forget too much in 9 months, but if you're worried about it, find some way to at least practice what you already know if you don't have time to learn anything new. Those are my thoughts! Good luck!

[wccrawford]

Don't give up your studies, just cut them way way back.

Listen to podcasts here, watch anime, etc. It'll be great practice time and a nice relaxing break from the rest of the stress you're going to have.

[jkeyz15]

You mean you want have at least like 10-15 mins of free time everyday?

[Belton]

I tend to agree.
Find a small amount of time daily or weekly or whenever you can. Look at it as a break from your main engineering studies, view it as relaxation time or fun or hobby time. just to keep what you know ticking over.
Like dieting or exercise, once you stop it's harder to start again. However you may find that you relearn things quite quickly compared to the first time.

Also language tends to disappear if you don't use it, especially if it hasn't gone into whatever part of the brain long term memory resides. (I learnt languages at school and got reasonable grades, but now years later after not using them, I'm hard pressed to even find tourist level ability)

But in the end don't worry about it. At the moment your degree is the most important thing, Japanese can wait.