Is taking a brake from college right when you get out of high school more beneficial for you, or does it benefit to go right into college without knowing your motivations or interests.

Tod,

Your question is so timeless! As cliche as my answer might sound, its true. Are you ready? Answer: it depends on you! Are you ready to go to college? Many times the experience will help shape your interests and motivations. In college, according to the Student Research Foundation, the average student changes their major at least 3 times ( I changed mine 5 times 😉) over the course of their college career. If you do decide to take a gap year, what are your plans? What is a goal in taking a gap year and how are you going to achieve that goal ( ie. work, volunteer, job shadow, travel, save money, ect.) Taking a year to find yourself and your interests is fine if you can afford it and you have a plan. Have you considered a attending a community college to take those neccessary prerequisite classes? This can help save money and time if college is you ultimate goal.

Good luck, you got this!🙂

A year or two working and reflecting on your goals could easily help you. I know several people who began their education later in life when they knew their motivations and interests. Check out potential occupations and careers now. You can use resources like, "The Ocuupational Outlook Handbook" and other intrernet information on various career jobsites. Then do a check of where you wish to be in 5 or 10 years.

I think Priscilla gave a very helpful and informative answer. I would only add that, as you get to your sophomore and junior year of high school, just be aware that that is when students take the ACT/SAT and when colleges start to accept applications. If you are on the fence about taking a gap year or going to college, I would definitely recommend taking the exams and applying to colleges in case you do ultimately decide you want to go. I think it's important to take time and choose what you feel most comfortable with, but you want to have the college path available in case you do decide to take it. Moreover, having to take the exams over a year in advance of graduating makes it even more important to be prepared and ready for that option.

A gap year can be a fantastic experience - great for figuring out what you really want to explore in school. So if you have a clear idea of what you will do instead of go to college, it's worth considering taking that year off. The key is doing something during that year which will help you "knowing your motivations and interests" - so be sure you're thinking about that too.

I wanted to touch on one thing that's kind of implicit in your question, that you're supposed to know your motivations and interests before you go to college. A big role that college absolutely can play in your life is to give you a chance to explore a variety of areas, precisely to discover what those motivations and interests are. You don't have to get it right the first time (or the second, or the third) - just explore as many different areas as you can in your first couple years (assuming a 4 year degree).

So don't avoid college because you think you have to know what you're going to do with your degree before you even get there. And take advantage of a gap year if you have a clear plan for what you're going to do during that year to help you know what you want to do next.