I want to take a gap year

Retired university professor here. Today as compared with the 70s a gap year between HS/College of college/ grad school/med school, etc is not atypical at all.. If HS to college and you currently have no clue what direction to take, then nothing at all to take some time to find your direction. However would highly recommend that you set some goals up of what you are going to do. A couple good things would be to first be sure you get some type of employment that gives you and income and keeps you on a daily/weekly routine. If able to take a couple courses at a community college or local college/university to get your feet wet, another great idea. Be sure to take general education stuff, such as Writing/English 101 or a College Math class that would transfer to a 4 year school and not go to waste.

Explore and learn about you and when you find your direction go for it. Better to be 20 and starting university work with a clear direction and major vs 18 and absolutely no idea what you want.

Also. If able to take some time and travel, especially abroad. Do it. You learn a lot about you, the world and how things are aside from your local neighbourhood. [and when you go to college, yes, take a semester abroad and study somewhere else...it will have a profound effect on you that lasts your entire life..all for the better].

Good luck
Cheers

The first thing I'd suggest is getting your thoughts together and sitting with your parents to discuss your feelings. In a calm, adult, relaxed manner. They want what's best for you no doubt. I had one daughter that attended college. And one who chose not to. They both are successful and I am equally proud of them!

I’m assuming you’re talking about college? If so, then you’d have to have an actual plan for the gap year.

Taking a year to work and save up money is entirely different from taking a year to relax and unwind.

Expect your parents to be disappointed but postponing is not the same as quitting. But you also have to figure out what’s going on that is causing so much exhaustion. If it’s physical then diet and exercise might be helpful.

If it’s emotional, then staying away from toxic environments (such as social media) might be useful.

Anything more than it might be time to talk to someone… especially your parents.

Focus on putting one foot in front of the other, and just keep going.
Most people give up well before they're done.
Just know that the harder you push it, the easier it gets. You're building a tolerance to work.

I have found it difficult to get back into the schooling mindset after taking time off.

A gap year is not a waste - it is wise - take this year to study about career prospects and to situate your thoughts about where you want to go in life from now on. Recover emotionally but also read a lot to keep your brain top notch. When ready, register to finish your studies/training and have yourself a well balanced, great rest of your life!

A gap year will give you time to think, and have a rest from study, my daughter took one and at the end of it knew what she wanted to study and successfully completed her degree last year, you need to do what is best for you, good luck

You've been in school since you were little. Relax and think about what you want to do over that year, getting a part-time job and saving up wouldn't hurt either.

Talk to your parents. Decide together.

Do it girl , your brain deserves a break sometimes

Well depends have you been to parties at all do you go to sport events what do you do other than school classes. Have a bf or gf? What do you make a priority.

You need to figure out why you're feeling so weak and how this happened. It's no good taking a year out to refuel just to then go back and have the same thing happen all over again. What caused you to feel this way and how do you intend to rectify this and maintain a solid grounding?

My daughter wanted to take one, but we “talked” her out of it, I.e., it’s up to you, but not on our dime. Your generation seems fucked up by social media and COVID. I think you guys got a rough hand.