Should I take a year off, after I graduate from high school ?

Question

I'm 18, and on the edge of graduating from high school, I plan to attend college, however I'm thinking of taking a year off, when I finish High School and possibly get a job, and save up for College....

What are your thoughts ?

Answer 1

I think it's a good idea. Don't let family or friends pressure you into doing the conventional thing if you think this is the better option for you. Also gives you time to consider what you really want to do, and you won't have to switch majors four times like many college students.

I know a lot of people have the four-year get in and get out mentality when it comes to college, but that's just not wise or even possible for some people.

Take your time, save up some money, look into what you want to study, and you will have a much easier college experience than most.

Answer 2

Don't take a year off. College will be more expensive anyway after that year so saving up a year won't really make much of a difference in the grand scheme. I have seen people take a year off to work and make some money and they have never gone back to school, or have gone back part time at night after working a full day. It takes a lot longer to get a degree at that rate and in today's global market, a Bachelor's Degree (better a MASTER'S degree) is ESSENTIAL to getting a good job that won't be outsourced, or off-shored.

Neither my husband nor I were able to go to college right out of HS. We were each able to go to Technical School and learn computer programming. We were able to get good jobs (back in the 80's when you were just a baby). However, even after we have been in this business for over 20 years, our jobs are being off-shored and the chances of us getting a job at the same pay rate is slim at best.

GET THAT DEGREE NOW while you are young and are living at home with your parents so they can help you.

*lecture from a Mom over now* :-)

Answer 3

I wouldn't do it just to "get a job", or for the sole reason of putting off college. You can do the job thing every summer.

I'd only do it if I had a once in a lifetime opportunity - like star in a movie, train for the Olympics, being the first high school person to go on the space shuttle, or something like that.

If you want to go this route, apply and get into the school of your choice first, and then try to defer going. Or, go a year, then take a year off. In other words, try to secure your spot in college first.

If you try to apply a year after finishing high school ... it will be tougher to get letters of recommendations and such from your high school teachers. They may have forgotten anything special about you after a year, and that can make a big difference on an application.

Answer 4

It depends. Any job you're likely to get out of high school will probably be at minimum wage or close to it. If your parents support this idea, it might be okay.

But be careful- I have seen many people do this and it's very easy to lose track of time. Before you know it, it's been 5 years since high school and you're still not in college. Develop a plan and make sure your parents support it- and follow through!

You might be better off taking a couple classes at the community college to start earning college credits without having to make the commitment and you will still have plenty of time to work and figure out what you want to do. In a year, if you decide to continue with college, you'll probably have at least a semester's worth of credits and maybe an idea what you'd like to focus on.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Go straight to college. I read a lot of the other answers but no one mentioned, that there is no way you could save a significant amount of money in a year to help with college. If you do not already have the dough, borrow it and keep going. One of the biggest mistakes in my adult life was taking off time between my B.S. and Masters.
You should set your sights on how far you want to go and continue on till you finish. The longer you hang out the worse it is to go back.

Answer 6

I think that you should go straight to college after high school. The reason why I'm saying this is because once you get a job and see that money is better, you will not want to go to school. Plus, your brain is still used to school and work. Try and get grants and loans.

That's what summer is for, to take time off of school and work.

Answer 7

If you have concrete plans for the year then I say go for it. Let's say you have a great idea that will change the world and make you a ton of money, fame, and personal enjoyment.

Since you do not have concrete plans, go to school and figure out what to do. Read the book by Bolles, "What Color is Your Parachute". Talk to you parents about how they made decisions such as the one you are try to think through. College is a time to think about your life and what you want to do with your time here on Earth.

Answer 8

I say NO! The majority of people who take a year off never make it to college. They get caught up in whatever they are doing, or talk themselves out of going alltogether.

There are plenty of student loans available for young people to get themselves through college. You pay them after you're finished with school, and many students use them when they don't have time to work AND go to college at the same time.

My humble advice for you is to go straight into college. Be with your classmates on time. People your own age, going through the same things you are going through. Being a year behind might cause you to regret staying back...watching all your friends go on ahead of you. It's your choice, but I say keep going while the momentum is still there.

Answer 9

Although you have good intention, you can work and at the same time study. Be an evening class student. There are lots of universities with evening classes. Or you go on with your studies and go to the library to become a student assistant. From there, you can survive. I DID THAT! And now, here I am a full pledge licensed librarian with master's degree. Because I worked in a library as Graduate Assistant. For my tuition, yearly I went to the loan board and then from my salary as Graduate Assistant, I was able to pay my loan.
If I was able to do that, YOU CAN DO IT ALSO. I am sure, with GOD's helping hand plus your strong determination to move on, YOU CAN MANAGE :)
Have a nice day! GOD BLESS THE CHILD.

Answer 10

I am 18 as well, about to go off to college just like you.

If you skip a year, it will be a lot harder to remember stuff you learned throughout high school. College will be ALOT harder believe it or not...

In my opinion...go to college and get it done sooner. Its just making the better decision. Having some extra cash wouldn't hurt, but you can always make that from now till the end of summer.