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Should I take a year off school between graduation (high school) and college? I don't know how some people do it.
I am in the 12th grade, worrying about the future of course. I've been looking into this and trying to see what I want. Recently the idea of taking a year off was brought to my attention. Everyone I have asked has thought it is a terrific idea and they had wished they'd done it. I'm afraid that after my four years my life will be in a place where I wouldn't want to leave where I am because I would be beginning working. I would love to, more than anything, go backpacking through Europe and maybe even take a literature class in Athens. My father on the other hand feels it is a horrible idea and we don't have the money (even though I plan on getting jobs where I can and figuring that out on my own. I also have a job now) I guess what I need is not so much an answer but an opinion from someone more experienced is incredibly needed.
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I am currently in college and there hasn't been a time in my life when I thought that I didn't want to go to college. However, I know that there pressure to attend college.
I don't think that it would be a waste of time to travel, if that's what you truly want to do. Through your backpacking, I think that you could gain insight and experience, and also, you have the time to think and enjoy life.
Speaking from personal experience, the summer of 12th grade, I traveled through Europe with Sound of America (Summer Music Program-- Honor Band & Chorus). We mainly played music but we also had time to look around the beautiful cities. I couldn't speak Italian or German but I took in the scenery and the difference in culture.
If you really want to travel, you should. Once you decide, don't look back on your decision. There will be other opportunities later on in your life!
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I am actually in the same situation as you.
I graduated from high school a couple months ago. I always thought I would go to college right after I graduated, except a couple of months before I was about to graduate, a personal friend of mine brought to my attention that if I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, I could take a year off.
At first this option was thrown out the window because I didn't have intentions of discontinuing school, but as a couple months went by I actually did start to take that option into consideration.
I was suggested to go to school by my parents and family, but I tried to stall my way out of it. It was difficult for me to try to avoid it because my family was on my case and think it's a bad idea, but I did.
I said I wanted to take a year off and think about what I really want to do for my future. I said that I would go back to school in about a year, but many people other than any of my family members have told me that they did the same thing but they decided that they didn't want to go back at all and years later they regreted taking time off of school. They said that it is very essential to continue to go to school without taking "Time-off" because that way the structure of school and education is still fresh in your head and it's easier to get into the flow of things.
I believed them when they said it but at the end of they day I still chose to take time off. I have pressure put on me though to go back next semester although I said I would take a year off.
I plan/planned to get a full-time job and save cash while I'm not going to school. I just want to have some fun right now and do what I want to do, which is not going to school right now. Honestly I haven't been trying too hard to get a job ever since I graduated from high school. I'm just soaking in my freedom, the freedom of not having to go to go to school and wake up so early. But I now will be starting work in about less than a week because I am money motivated right now. I just want to work and enjoy the cash that I'll be working for. In the mean time, I should also think about what I want to do when I go back to school, which I plan on. I'm still very undescisive so I'm just not thinking about it too much right now.
I say do what you want to do for yourself. Don't let anyone pressure into doing anything that you are indesicive about or aren't sure if you're ready to do. If you want to take some time off, then do so. But just keep in mind, you have to make up your mind sooner than later and motivate yourself because if you do decide to take some time off of school, there is a possibility that you may end up not wanting to go back.
I think to myself what may be of me or what may happen from today, to next year.
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I don't think you'll "find yourself" by going to Europe. Although it can be very educational and if it is something you want to do and it's a huge dream of yours, then go for it.
As for taking a year off from school, that's all up to you.
It really varies from person to person. For some people, once they decided to wait a year, they didn't end up going to college. But for others, they usually take off to save money. Or they go to community college to take a few classes to see what they really want to do instead of spending much more money and end up changing their major several times.
So take some time to think about what you want and what would be best for you.
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This is a really hard question to answer as it requires a better knowledge of just who you are. For instance if I knew you better I would know if this is an excuse to get out of going to college or if you are burnt out and need a break.
Your fathers feeling that this is a horrible idea doesn't tell me much when you add to it that "we don't have the money." What I'm asking is; If he had the money would he think differently about what you want to do? Your father knows you and based on my question if money was not the issue then does he see your desire as someone who is trying to avoid college or someone who needs a break from studying?
That to me this is the crux of your question. Not knowing what you want at your age is somewhat normal. Taking a year off and working or back packing through Europe to find yourself will most likely not give you any answers.
What will give you answers as what the future may hold for you. What course of studies to follow in college. These questions can be answered while in high school by working with your class advisor.
There are many different things in this world that can give you direction other than what you learn in High School For my son I was once told by one of his teachers that it might be good if he learned how to ask if they wanted to super size that order.
When he left high school he joined the Army. They taught him what High School didn't. While on leave he visited his high school, with me in tow, and his teacher(S) was very surprised to see him with his Medals and Ribbons as well as his rank equivalent to Corporal only one year after leaving High School.
One was even more surprised when she was evolved in a traffic accident several years later and finds herself being cared for by a paramedic who quite strangely lookeed like my son. She asked if he was my son and he said yes Mrs. XXXX I will take good care of you. After leaving the Army he went to College and not only earned his Paramedic Degree but earned a degree in Emergency Medicine. He is now a Paramedic/Firefighter a job he dreamed of for many years.
I've told you this story for one reason. You are not alone in possible feeling lost at this time. My son like you felt the same way and was not getting any support from school. He joined the military and truth be known he just may have gotten more from them then they got from him. Fact is there are many alternatives to back packing through Europe that can help you figure out what you want to do in life. The military was my sons answer and savior. It may or may not be yours.
My suggestion is this: If you do not feel you are ready for college then you may not be. Taking a year off and back packing is not going to help you find yourself. Find a more productive way to spend that year. away that may help you find your true calling in life.
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DO IT!
I went straight into University at 17. I knew what I wanted to do, got in where I wanted, so I went, but even still, I was too young. By the end of my degree, I knew I could have gotten way, way more out of it if I'd been a bit older and a bit more prepared.
My younger siblings took a year off, some just worked and saved, some traveled and worked. I think they made the better choice.
It is harder. It takes more thinking and more planning than just heading off to college.
The only big risk, and concern for a lot of parents, is that you wont go to school at all. I think as long as you are committed to using the time well, and giving some sort of post-secondary a shot the year after, it's the better approach to take.
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