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Year off between high school and college...

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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 512
I'm coming to the older members of NSG to give me a a hand here. I'm in my senior year of high school, and for the past few months, I've been thinking of taking a year for myself before I go to college. I've made plans already to begin a full time job at the local zoo, and have gotten in contact with the right people to volunteer with animals injured by oil spills across the country, so it's not like I'm just taking this year off to fuck around and do nothing. My question is, if you have done this, did it give you an advantage when going to college? Did you just not go to college after that year? Was anything more difficult because of this year off?
Jan 4 2012 5:29PM
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shane.t
Posts: 729 - Karma: 364
I realy dont recommend it. I had a friend who had a full time job and he jost lost the momentum when h took a year off. If you stop now you will lose momentum so I would say kep going
Jan 4 2012 5:32PM
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Mr.Capone
Posts: 1227 - Karma: 109
As a recent college grad I wish I would have taken a year off before starting. I think I didn't have the right mindset going into college. Don't just go because it seems like the natural next step, go once you figure out what you actually want to do and are willing to work your ass off to actually do really well in it. This isn't to say college isn't a party, but just be sure you're willing to work during the day and finish all your shit before doing other things. With all the distractions college provides this is much harder done than said.

I spent college bouncing through majors because I was using it as a time to "figure out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life," which I think is totally valid but it's also not the way college programs are designed (sequential classes that build on each other and that you might not necessarily be able to get into late in your college career), and it definitely won't help you with motivation or focus. As a result I bounced through majors, starting in engineering with 2 summers of engineering internships, switched to pre-med/biology and worked in a lab for a year and half, burnt out, switched to business for a quarter, took a quarter off and flew airplanes and ended up finishing with a useless sociology degree...after 5 years and taking all but 2 classes of the premed sciences. Believe me it was a depressing way to finish after all those hard classes.

My whole point is go once you've figured out what you want to do with your life and are mature enough to be willing to work your ass of to get there. Once you start, parts of whatever program you're in will suck major balls but stick with it because it will pay off in the end. If you need to take a year to pull your shit together I would highly recommend it, I wish I would have.
Jan 4 2012 5:47PM
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PJS.
Posts: 11943 - Karma: 895
Gonna be working with lions?
Jan 4 2012 5:48PM
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Dsnov832
Posts: 102 - Karma: 12
Im currently in my year off between high-school and college, I deffered from DU where i will be going next fall. It was honestly the best decision i could have made, i'm sure it will be hard get to get back in to the whole academia routine but i'm living in Breckenridge and loving every minute of it. I say go for it
Jan 4 2012 5:48PM
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TheClap.
Posts: 21664 - Karma: 4,140
I took a year off before grad school, I pretty much did nothing but partied and chilled before looking for that 9-5. For me this is what I wanted to do, to have a good time before getting into the daily living.

You seem to have your shit together. Most people who take a year off and never go back is because they never were going to go in the first place. What are you going to go to school for? Is it related to the zoo/animal life?

If your working with the actual intent of going back then you will be good. Its good to take time off and just enjoy what you want to do, and it sounds like you are.

You should have no problems in my mind.
Jan 4 2012 5:53PM
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E__
Posts: 5751 - Karma: 4,635
I'm on the same page as OP, but I'm planning on taking a year or more off before Post-Secondary to build my money up and to give me time to plan exactly what courses and things I'm going to take.
Jan 4 2012 5:55PM
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churchill
Posts: 131 - Karma: 17
I'm currently taking a year off between HS and Uni. For me, as a student who really didn't have a direction in mind once I graduated, a year off was a great thing. It gave me the chance to do things I've always wanted to do but never had the opportunity to try. I worked for about half a year starting a carpentry apprenticeship with a construction company, with the mindset that I might be interested in construction project management. Turns out I'm not, but now I know. Time off gave me a chance to travel as well. Spent time in India and China volunteering and travelling, which to me was much more rewarding then going to school and taking classes I wasn't motivated to take. I'm heading back to school in September with a much more distinct direction then before, and still have plenty of time to work so that I can hopefully move out of my parents house and be able to come out of school with less debt to pay off. I don't feel like I've lost motivation at all, only gained experience in the world out side of school. I've grown up more in the past six months then I had in three years of high school.It doesn't seem like you would waste a year off so I would say go for it.

Of course everyone is different so my experiences mean very little for you, but I hope this helps nevertheless. Good luck
Jan 4 2012 5:59PM
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hokkanee
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 435
Absolutely this. I have some friends who decided to take a year off and two of them went back to school, while another didn't. Looking back you could definitely tell that two of them wanted to continue their educations but wanted a break to do something different while the other was just delaying school for a year without any direction
Jan 4 2012 6:00PM
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jason...
Posts: 9006 - Karma: 780
im in my first year of university and i wish i had taken a year off.

it really comes down to what you want, if you're hyped on school and think you're ready the work then do it. if you're not ready to put in the hard work and really only doing school because you feel like you have to, then do your own thing for a year and see where you stand.
Jan 4 2012 6:04PM
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ski93
Posts: 1280 - Karma: 84
I'm in my first year of college right now. I probably would have benefited by taking a year off so that I could have a bit more time just to think about what I really wanted to do. The thing that drove me straight into college was scholarship money. I say, if you're hesitant to go straight into college and don't have any huge incentives to do it, take a year off. You have plenty of time to go to school.
Jan 4 2012 6:04PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 512
Actually, yes. Not at the local zoo, but I'm heading to volunteer at a lion reserve in Zambia for two weeks this summer, and I hope to do more elsewhere during my year off. I plan to go to school for wildlife conservation, so yeah...it all has to do with my major.

Thank you, everyone! All of your responses are so helpful and it's really helping out my decision!
Jan 4 2012 6:07PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
i'm 3 y into college now and i greatly regret not doing this ..
if i had followed my plan of doing a winter season in the alps in a shop/skischool and summer season in a mountain hut, i doubt i'd still be where i am now ...

much regret, but at least i'll end up with a stupid fucking piece of paper that says i'm worth more than others without it !
Jan 4 2012 6:10PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
i know a few folk who have done/ are doing a gap year and very few regret it. just don't turn out like this guy:


Jan 4 2012 6:11PM
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dirty.
Posts: 736 - Karma: 69
i took 3 years off after high school to work and live in Alta, now im back in home going to UNH and my only regret is going back to school.
Jan 4 2012 6:25PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 512
And that's the attitude that I don't want and what I'm worried about...
Jan 4 2012 6:27PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
I did and it was one of the best decisions of my life. I never lost any "momentum" during the year I took off. First year university is not a big step up from senior high school. There is a much bigger step from first to second year than from grade 12 to freshman year IMO.

Basically if you think you want to, I highly recommend it!
Jan 4 2012 6:34PM
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roor
Posts: 946 - Karma: -80
If I had to do it all over again I would take a year off. I wasn't ready for college and completlyfailed 2 terms. That being said it was a learning experience and I grew up a lot did a lot
Jan 4 2012 6:47PM
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PopsicleStand
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 147
Its a very personal decision. I agree with most of what has been said up above. I could probably sum it up with my personal example.

Taking time off allowed me to grow, have some fun (ski bum for two years), mature, and most importantly discover my passion in life, which is now my career. How many people can say that?

However, taking the time off absolutely put me behind the curve, killed some (a lot) of momentum, complicated everything with bills and loose ends strung across the country, and leaves me working a low paying job going to class full time struggling while younger kids breeze through school living at home.

I anticipate that in ten years, I will look back and feel like I made the right decision. Perhaps if I had not made all the choices I did (including the fun ones) I would not have found my life's work. Its hard to say. I don't regret barely anything though. I just pay for it now for sure.

Pick your poison buddy, and never lose sight of the big picture. We are all young, and life is meant to be lived, even if it is a little meandering at times.


KEEP A GOOD FUCKING CREDIT SCORE THOUGH!!!!!!!
Jan 4 2012 6:52PM
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roor
Posts: 946 - Karma: -80
Fucking eyephone but anyways did a lot of partying sold/ did massive amounts of drugs found the perfect girl. I since I failed I went home in the summer and got the perfect job. I basically get paid 100 dolllars a day plus expenses to captain a million dolllars boat in the hamptons. This year were going to France, Spain, iitaian riveara. So basically it worked out perfectly for me I had the full college experience with out taking any classes and am transfering to the u next semester. Ii can ski 5 times a week with my schedule taking 18 credits at night
Jan 4 2012 7:11PM
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roddy116
Posts: 10630 - Karma: 7,454
im a junior in a college prep school, and i had a long talk about this with my counselor, and personally i will probably do it or just take one course or something, but you should be doing something productive.
Jan 4 2012 7:32PM
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dragonhorse
Posts: 101 - Karma: 228
i wish i'd taken a year off because honestly i'm just wasting a fuck ton of money being in school with no direction and in no  way preparing for the rest of my life.
Jan 4 2012 9:02PM
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EastCoast315
Posts: 3136 - Karma: 137
Lol, worried you'd enjoy something other than school? Why be scared, if you're digging what your doing, it doesn't matter. As for me, I went to college right outta hs and I fucking hate it. 2.04, don't care about anything, dropping out this summer to live in an anarchist commune. If you're not gonna give a shit, don't go. Also, if you're more of a self motivated learner anyway, like I am, go to a fuckin library if learning is what your into.
Jan 4 2012 9:26PM
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
I did it and highly recommend it! You will learn how to be truly responsible, something that you won't get nearly as much of a grasp of in college.

have a plan though; I deferred my college acceptance for a year, which guaranteed I'd be back in school after my year.

Really can't recommend it enough, so glad I did it. Definitely depends on the kind of person you are, and what you intend to get out of it, but if you don't have a real good idea of what you want to do in college, it's good to take a step back for a bit and figure it all out before you make a decision that might waste time and money.
Jan 4 2012 10:31PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7484 - Karma: 36,072
WTF I want to work with lions.
Jan 4 2012 11:08PM
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dmc12380
Posts: 3545 - Karma: 792
im just curious, whats your schedule with 18 credits at night. 3 classes a night 5 days a week?
Jan 4 2012 11:15PM
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soulskier
Posts: 17806 - Karma: 3,841
i've seen it go both ways

you seem to have a lot better plan than the people that i've seen have it come back and bite them in the ass though
Jan 4 2012 11:17PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 512
Click for larger image

me this summer...jelly?
Jan 4 2012 11:18PM
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Obi-Wan-Jenobi
Posts: 951 - Karma: 119
Zoo eh? You wanna be a vet? BUT anyway I am in my first year of undergrad and i would not recommend taking a year off for 2 reasons. 1. What you dont do this year your gonna have to do next anyway, if you know your going to college eventually get in there now well your high school courses are still relatively fresh in yo head. College would have been an crap ton harder if i took a year off. 2. So many people who do take a year off dont ever go back. Im not saying you wont but tons of my friends are not going to now, and were planning on doing it before. You dont have to take a full course load either maybe just take a pysch class and an english or something just to get your feet wet.
Jan 4 2012 11:20PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7484 - Karma: 36,072
Very Click for larger image
Jan 4 2012 11:22PM
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Lucas
Posts: 4881 - Karma: 1,575
Thread/
Jan 4 2012 11:28PM
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derpina
Posts: 2186 - Karma: 55
You changed your major eh?
Jan 4 2012 11:34PM
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TheClap.
Posts: 21664 - Karma: 4,140
whos the hott bitch on the right>
Jan 4 2012 11:36PM
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Daoust
Posts: 487 - Karma: 103
im goin back for one semester to catch up on credits after this year and then plan on working full time from that which would be february till the end of october. i guess id make around 13k and buy a pass and rent a 1 bedroom for the season out west.

After that Id decide whether or not a college education is gonna be in my future or not. Ive already basically been laughed at by my guidance counselor, and friends say its dumb since i wont have a good job in the future, but its what id enjoy doing with my life. My family supports it too­ and ive already told them what i have plans on doing if i decide to do something else.

What im saying is, if your doing it for money reasons, want to travel or do things youve dreamed of then go out and do it before you go back. Otherwise if its to chill in your friends basement and burn all day then keep going to school.
Jan 4 2012 11:44PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 512
More like switched my minor to my major and vice versa. I've been thinking about doing that for a while...I just find lions and shit much cooler than fish.
Jan 4 2012 11:45PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7484 - Karma: 36,072
sarabi
Jan 4 2012 11:46PM
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PJS.
Posts: 11943 - Karma: 895
damn. more power to you for doing that.
Jan 4 2012 11:51PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51662 - Karma: 162,482
its up to you man. there are advantages and disadvantages. If you dont take a year off its easier to stay up with school work, taking a year off can give you a bigger version of that feeling you get coming back form summer break every year. at the same time, a lot of people get out of college and start the real world. Sometimes its nice to take a breather and explore while you have nothing holding you down.


i took a year off and never ended up going to school. im happy though. def dont regret it but everything depends on you, you you feel about things what you want out of life. no real right answer
Jan 5 2012 12:14AM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,624
I took a year off, worked a pretty decent gig at A&W, aww Yee. I Just worked, and skied everyday. Then went and travelled for the summer and had an amazing summer, then went back to school. Take the year off, just relax, enjoy your life and your job, you've earned it. Unless you have no motivation and don't feel you need to be anymore than a zookeeper, you'll want to go back to school. During my year off, once the ski hill closed, I got bored and just wanted to go back to school. Also, everyone I've talked to wishes they took a year off, just to have that year off. Then you can go back to school and have a little more real life experience.
Jan 5 2012 1:49AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51662 - Karma: 162,482
just dont forget about the pridelands. It's your duty to take care of them and rule them. And dont just leave nala all alone
Jan 5 2012 2:00AM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,624
I was misunderstood in my last post. If the job you're going into during your year off relates to what you want to do school for, take that year off. Any kind of experience for your school before hand is well worth it, it gives you something to learn off of, and something to have a thirst for, more stuff to learn. I did some work that relates to my school during my year off, and it made me so excited for school.
Jan 5 2012 2:06AM
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iSmokeweed
Posts: 4793 - Karma: 1,370
dont do it. i did it and all i do now is smoke weed all day... and work.
Jan 5 2012 2:24AM
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Chickendodo
Posts: 1426 - Karma: 33
WORK AT A ZOO THAT SOUNDS FUCKING AWESOME.
Jan 5 2012 2:39AM
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Uah
Posts: 1104 - Karma: 176
You could have just as easily said that if you were in uni XD
Jan 5 2012 1:44PM
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Nurgle
Posts: 1249 - Karma: 15
Do it after college like my plan is. Youll have more money saved up, more experiences, and a better chance of getting that job before going into the real work force
Jan 5 2012 1:49PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 512
That actually doesn't make sense. I won't have money saved up, because I'll be paying off loans. I'll have more experience if I do it this summer so when I apply next year, I'll have a better chance of getting into the college of my choice, and I'll have no problem getting a job next year...trust me.
Jan 5 2012 2:41PM
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Justo8484
Posts: 3905 - Karma: 205
wait, is this not oboe? wtf?
Jan 5 2012 3:16PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 512
Hai Justin...this sure as hell is oboe.
Jan 5 2012 3:18PM
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doitbig
Posts: 4818 - Karma: 315
If you plan to major in something relating to the work you are taking a year off to persue, I say go for it.  The expirence and benefits will help you when you decide to go back to school and even more so when you are looking for a job prior to recieving your degree. 
Jan 5 2012 3:47PM
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theline
Posts: 1507 - Karma: 92
this post is full of win
Jan 5 2012 3:57PM
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