[joelvalleroy]

If you won't lose scholarships or your seat, you can take a gap semester or year and return later. Most programs do have a time limit but full time students taking one gap year will likely be fine. There's a lot of valuable things you can do during a gap year to keep your career progressing such as (paid) internships, projects, other educational pursuits, or volunteering.

But don't get expelled! That will tarnish your academic record and the credits won't transfer.