I've had similar problems with my girlfriend.
She's studying to become a teacher (as am I) and is nearing her final exams, plus she has two dogs.
For the first 6, 7 months we saw each other almost every day, despite me working as a male nurse (english lacks a better term) and working horrible shifts
at the hospital for 12 days in a row and only having 2 or 3 days off in between two work "weeks", if at all. So I had to work every other weekend.
Afterwards, I started studying and even though I have much homework now, I have much more free time at my disposal, so I thought it only logical that
we'd see each other at least as often as we did before.
But in fact, we only spend the days together at weekends, and eat lunch together every thursday and wednesday.
It was hard for me to understand why, I even thought she was tired of me.
She said she was overwhelmed with all the studying for exams and homework and household and what-not, and she knew that if I was there, too, she'd be
distracted and rather spend some sweet time with me.
Oh boy, was I irritated. I argued that I, too had studying to do and that there would be no problem to just study side by side, and when we're done, do whatever we want. She felt that I forced my way into her study time. And I thought, how do you plan to "bear" my presence everyday, for the rest of your life, should we move in together, marry, have children, if you can't manage to let me be with you now?
But it's more complicated than that.
Some girls just need their space for studying. If your girlfriend is in any way similar to mine, give her some space.
That doesn't necessarily mean she doesn't want to be with you.
Don't put your relationship on a halt, or pause it. Just let her do her things. Offer your help wherever you can and if she doesn't accept it, that's fine.
She'll keep in mind you were there for her.
There will be better times.
But if it's a real pause, you two virtually breaking up for an undefined time to see how it works out, skrew that. It rarely ever works.
Oh and, I don't want to sound patronizing or anything here, but you both are still very young.
Don't take this offensive, but saying she's the love of your life at this early age, doesn't mean that much.
Of course, she could be the one, you could get married someday and live happily for until death you part.
Do you know her point of view on this "love of your life" thing? Is it as serious for her as it is for you?
(As an aside: I love my girlfriend more than anything and I know some people here see their partners not nearly as often as I see mine, but all things are subjective so please don't be upset if you found my words offensive )