I want to take a gap year

because i know for myself that I really couldn't handle it anymore. i am physically, mentally, and emotionally weak. even getting up from bed already tires me out. but i don't want my parents' hard work and sacrifices to go to waste. what should i do? give time for myself? or just continue with this extremely exhausting way of living?

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Human1000 · 51-55, M

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.

Panda5689

@Human1000 Gap years began to become more the norm long before social media and certainly COVID. A student who is focused and ready to partake in their major 100 % is much better off than one still thinking they are in high school. The brain is not fully developed until age 24/25 thus some at 18 are simply not ready for university. Some of my most stellar students were those who tried school, failed, went out in real world for a few years and worked a grunt job, then came back and nailed it.

Human1000 · 51-55, M

@Panda5689 I'm sure it works for some, but overall I do think it's a symptom of coddling and the every increasing age we allow for adolescence. I think it's [i]often[/i] a crutch for kids who are just fine.

Panda5689

@Human1000 Mind the fact that when I was an UG one was expected to pick a major and stick with it. Undeclared and changing majors was frowned upon. With 30+ years in academia + 15 in clinical work I find the former ways of doing things ill advised. No today is not ideal either since faculty are no longer well respected and are pawns of many incompetent administrators practicing within the Peter Principle. Having said that, a gap between HS/UG, or UG / Grad school or other post graduate school is a wise choice for many. And if a HS student does take a year and decides not to go off to a 4 year degree that is also fine. Better they find what they are passionate about vs taking 1+ years of course work with debt and abandon the whole idea. That is wasteful of time, energy, money. Not every person is meant for college. If a 17 year old is on the fence best they make the decision when to get off it themselves, not a helicopter or bulldozer parent who thinks they know more that the professionals.

Human1000 · 51-55, M

@Panda5689 There is significant pressure to declare majors now in the application process based on our experience and the experience of other applicants I know.

I switched majors junior year and it wasn’t a big deal.

As I’ve said, I’m sure gap years work for some (okay a few) so you seem to be making some of your points to some other interlocutor.

The same societal forces that make faculty not respected are the ones that make kids capable of graduating in four years not do so so they pursue…goodness knows what. I know one kid who did it to hang out with his girlfriend.

I seem to be the turd in the punch bowl here though!