An Open Letter To The Senior Considering A Year Off
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An Open Letter To The Senior Considering A Year Off

It's okay to take some time off. Go find yourself.

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An Open Letter To The Senior Considering A Year Off
Caitlin Haines

To the high school senior who wants to take a year off,

Do it! Simple as that. If you feel like you need to take a year off after graduation, that’s okay. Take it from someone who didn’t. Take it from someone who was burned out too soon. Take it from someone who thought they knew exactly what they wanted to do in life, but didn’t. Take it from someone who took a year off after attending a university for over four years. If you think you need to take a year off, just do it.

On average, most people go to school from ages six to 18, not including preschool or college. 12 years of going to school every day is exhausting. By the end, many get “senioritis" and just want to graduate. In my case, I couldn’t wait to get out of high school and start over somewhere else. I knew which university I was going to. I knew what my major was going to be. I had known that I wanted to study fashion since I was eleven years old. I had a plan, or so I thought.

I graduated high school at 17 and started college a couple of months after I turned 18. I hadn’t been happy throughout high school. In a shell, I hid my true self from everyone. When I went away to college, I decided I would be able to re-invent myself; I could be whoever I wanted to be. As relieving as this was at first though, it led to a major identity crisis. It led to major depression, doing horribly in school, and, ultimately, to me failing out.

This is the age when you start figuring out who you are as a person. You’re finally an adult, free to make your own choices. Taking a year off, in my opinion, is a great idea if you feel you need it. It will give you time to find yourself and see just how well you make these choices. You’re going to make some good ones and bad ones, that’s inevitable. But make some of those bad ones before you go away to college before it could affect your schooling.

In finding yourself, you’ll have a better idea at what you want to do in life. You will then be able to study something relevant to that, instead of wasting time and money trying to figure out what your major should be. You may find a different hobby or interest in your time off that you can pursue, instead of your ideal job you had as a kid before knowing what the world was truly like.

Maybe you just need a break. Like I said, 12 years is a long time. It's all you've ever known. It's fine to want to relax a little before jumping back in. Because once you do, "real life" is going to start. Taking a short break to figure out the rest of your life is okay and shouldn't be frowned upon like it too often is.

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't take back my first college experience for anything. I made the most incredible, life-long friends, and had some of the best times I have ever had. I just wish I knew then what I know now. I wish I had been as open and happy with myself, and I wish I had tried harder in school. Everything happens for a reason though.

I’m not saying everyone should take a year off. Some know exactly who they are or who they want to be. But if you doubt it all, it’s okay to take some time off. I went to school in 2009 “knowing” I wanted to be a fashion designer. Eight years later, I’m studying psychology through an entirely different school. I found what I was meant to do in the time I took off and I’m happier than ever. It's okay if you need to too.

Sincerely,

A student who needed some time

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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