As some of you know, I'm currently a senior in high school, and also fifteen. Up until about a week ago, I'd been pretty set on just going to college at sixteen, but a couple of my friends have mentioned the possibility of taking a gap year, and it got me thinking about taking one. I'm not exactly sure what I would do (Americorps? Get a job? Study on my own? Travel?), but the prospect has an undeniable attraction.
If any of you took gap years, what were they like? What did you do? Were they valuable experiences? If you could make the decision again, would you do the same thing?
PS Gap year
I wouldn't recommend it. It seems to me that people who take a gap year usually have a difficult time readjusting to an academic setting. I've seen several of them drop out our crack under the pressure. That said, I don't know what it would be like in your situation, and if it might be a better option than going to college so young.
Do you think you're ready for college? If you are, I would recommend starting now instead of later. On the other hand, if you think you're not ready or there's something valuable you can gain on your gap year, that might be the right decision. But since you don't really know what you would do during a gap year, I highly recommend you come up with a solid plan before deciding on a gap. You don't want to wind up just waiting for the year to end and school to start.