During their senior year of high school, almost every student is planning out what they want to do for the rest of their life. Last year I thought I knew what school I wanted to go to and what I wanted to major in, but it turns out that I was wrong. I began to question if what I had chosen as my major was the right fit for me or if I was even going to be happy with what I was doing for the rest of my life. At the end of my senior year, I made the decision to take a year off and do some searching for what made me happy and for what I was passionate about.

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Growing up, no one tells you that it's okay to need time to figure things out. I was always taught that after high school you go straight to college and get a degree to start working. I never realized that there were more options than that. I guess I was never given options; it was always just something that I was supposed to do. I hate that from a young age that's what we're supposed to think. No one even gives kids options or advice on other things that they could do after they graduate.

They always say after a year you're not going to go back, but that's where they're wrong. Just because I chose to not go this year doesn't mean I'm going to be another stereotype. I am choosing what is right for me.

In this year I have learned a lot about myself. I've learned that I like to read and write, I've learned that I love music, and I've learned that it's okay to need time to yourself to figure out the things you like to do. I plan to go back to school when the time is right and I feel like I'm ready to return because I do think it's important to further your education. I will not let anyone tell me that the decision I am making is wrong because at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that I go back and get a degree.

I think that if you need to take time you should take it and do what you need to do to make yourself happy.