When I was about to graduate from high school back in 2009, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. How could time have passed by so quickly? How was it already time to pick a path for my life to go? After graduating, many go straight to college and have great experiences, but I would argue taking a break before going to college, or even during college, creates more opportunities to find out what you want out of life.
During my senior year of high school, I went through so many different ideas of what to do after graduation. I planned to go to Dixie State, I planned to go do some humanitarian work, I planned on just working for a while, but nothing seemed to work out the way I needed. I finally decided to join the Air Force and I signed the papers before graduating. Throughout my six years in the Air Force, I became an adult. I went through both great and horrible experiences. Between the ages of 18-24, I learned to lead, learned what I did NOT want to do with my life, met people from all over the world and genuinely discovered the person I want to be. I grew up. When my enlistment was up, I was so motivated and excited to go to college. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and this was all because I took time for myself before diving into a degree.
I’m not saying everyone should join the military. I’m arguing that because of the six-year gap between high school and college, I now have the drive to focus on what I want out of college and life. Many of my friends went straight to college and had no idea what they wanted to do. They ended up wasting time and money going from one major to another, figuring out what they were passionate about. Some people I’ve talked to around campus who took a break before college are grateful they did.
A U student told me, “I served an LDS mission before I went to college and this helped me so much. I know how I want to study now, I know what I want to study, and it’s all because of that experience. At 18 I had no clue what was out in the world.”
My parents are great examples of this as well. My mom and dad both went to college and got their degrees right out of high school. They tell me they loved their college experiences, but both have gone on to do something completely opposite of their original degrees. My mom recently graduated from the U with her doctorate in Midwifery. My dad is about to graduate with his masters in a business/leadership degree. It took a 20+ year break from college for them to decide what they are truly passionate about. Both are extremely happy they went back to school again.
Taking time between high school and college isn’t for everyone. But as time goes on, you learn more and more about yourself. Life experience gives you a whole new perspective. My advice for those who have no clue what to go to college for is to take a break. Travel if you can, work in another state or country, do humanitarian work, meet as many people from around the world as possible—college will be there for you when you get back.