I hope this isn't one of those topics that gets talked about all the time. I couldn't find a thread to add this to. I'm 17 and I'll be graduating in a few months. I want to take the year off after high school, save up money, and maybe take some night classes before going into a full time school. Your thoughts? My parent's are cool with it, but my guidance counselor thinks it's an awful idea. She calls me down to her office every other week to talk about schools, and she's starting to irk me. I haven't applied anywhere, and the school wants me to at least apply to schools so they can say they had students accepted (or not accepted, but they probably wouldn't brag about that) to this place or that place. I'm strongly against being a statistic, but maybe that's just immaturity. Just wondering if anyone out there has taken a year off, and if you think it was beneficial. Thanks in advance.
At 17/18 some students are not ready for post-secondary. I am 20 and in my 3rd 1st year of college because I changed my mind twice on what I really want to do with my life. I say take the year off, save up some cash and try to figure out what it is you want to do with the rest of your life. Good luck!
I wish I had taken a year off. I started off my freshman year at a private college. I transfered 2nd semester because I didn't like it much. I then went a University. I decided after that semester at the University, I would transfer back to the private college. So, I transfered back to the private college for my sophmore fall semester. I had a epiphany in my life that it wasn't the school I didn't like, because I really loved the school and my friends and the city, but I didn't like the majors they had to offer. So now, I'm taking this semester off to cool my thoughts and really think about what I want to do with my life. I plan on going back to school but sometimes you need to really think about what you want out of life and where you can get it from. If you don't do that, you wont be happy wherever you are---and I know.
I talked to my parents again, and we finally came to an agreement. My family just opened up a breakfast and lunch place late in October, so I'm going to work there and save up money. Then I'm going to take classes later on in the day at a community college nearby. I think that if I went to a full time school right after I graduated that I would probably be in a similar situation as you (Friedman), because I have absolutely no idea what I want to major in, plus I can't see myself being a full time student right after graduating. I'm going to enter this program that gives you a little taste of a bunch of different things so it's easier to pick a major that will be good for the career I choose. Thanks for the input everyone! It's greatly appreciated!
i really wanted to go to college right after high school, but i am so glad i did not. i'm not quite sure what i want to do for the rest of my life, but for the time being and the next few years i know it has nothing to do with college. i was in the top 5% of my class, so i know what you mean when you talk about your guidance counselor hating it. don't let her talk you into anything! take some time... it is tough to think clearly and make smart decisions when you are surrounded by high school. if i do go to college i'll be 24-25 years old at the least.
Do what your heart tells you to. Guidence counselors get money from big universities if they recrute people to their schools. Remember there is nothing wrong with community college. I went to a community college and it save me loads of money.
I'd definitely say take a year off. Too many people spend years of their life and thousands of dollars doing something they're not sure they want to do. Take some time to learn more about/make sure you know what you want! Plus, for me, I definitely needed some time off because I needed to sort of "catch up" on my life- it didn't feel like I graduated for real, and diving right into college without feeling like it's real seems like it would prevent me from really appreciating it
Personally, I think a year out is essential. It is time for you to relax a little, find out more about yourself... grow a bit, live a bit, gain life experience etc before leaving home. It also gives you time to think about what you really want.
It's a fine idea--can be quite good--as long as you're doing something with it. Could be almost anything, from earning money to serious traveling... basically as long as you're using your time for _something_ (needn't be academic, just something worthwhile), you're good. Especially given that you haven't applied at this point in the year, I think it makes a lot of sense to earn some extra money, and then use other time for some classes, as you've described. That all sounds very sensible.
All of you guys and gals have pretty much put into words exactly what I want to do! Thanks for all your advice/encouragment. I definitely think a year off for traveling, working (gotta save up money, I only have $20 in my bank account), and self discovery could do me good. I'm gonna have a little chat tomorrow with my folks and try to get them savvy with the idea.
I took a year off of school after graduating...it was the best thing I did... I went back and finished with a pretty decent GPA. Don't let anyone tell you you won't go back...that's what everyone told me...now they can eat me, because I've graduated from college Good luck!
as long as you aren't wasting life away and doing meaningful things there's absolutely no reason why you won't go eventually, unless you just don't want to. school counselors and the like think there is only one way to live a "successful" life when that's really not true at all
