The Case for Taking a Gap Year Before College

For many, heading straight to college and then into the working world is seen as the best way forward. But what if a break during this time — in particular, a gap year before college — can help reduce stress and burnout, improve your academics and leadership down the road, and help you find your true purpose? Research and interviews with people who have taken gap years demonstrate its promise, and practical advice about the logistics of taking a gap year can help you decide if it’s the right path for you.

Over the next six months, you and your classmates are going to make one of your first major life decisions: where to start your freshman year at college. But where isn’t the only important question — you should also consider when.