Graduate high school, choose a college, then get your degree; this is the expectation most people have for the timeline in your life. With all the influence from family, friends, and even the world, I chose a college and a major that just wasn't right for me. It took a lot of mistakes, a lot of struggles and a lot of thought before I decided I needed to take time to do my own thing and figure out what I wanted to do without the influence of others. That decision wasn't easy for me. It almost doesn't seem like an accepted outcome after just one year of college because there's this stigma that you have to live your life a certain way.
The day I decided to take a gap year changed everything. Suddenly there wasn't this pressure that I needed to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. The possibilities and the adventures seemed endless. Now I have the time I need, not rushed, to delve into my passions to discover my life's purpose. Why end up with a degree you don't enjoy or won't use? College is expensive and time-consuming. Don't feel rushed into an experience you aren't ready for because it's what everyone's doing.
The great thing about life is you're in complete control of the choices you make. College could be something you're meant for and will thrive in at the typical time everyone goes, maybe you have to wait a while (and that's ok), or maybe it's just not something meant for you. The point is, make the decision that is best for you. Just one month into my gap year, I feel happier than my first month into college last year. I finally followed what I knew was best for me, without considering other's judgments, and I've discovered more about myself than I could have imagined.
Don't follow the timeline that is laid out before you have a choice. Be happy with the choices you make and find the freedom to discover who you are without the influence of others. Travel, explore interests you've never invested in before, and live a life you're proud of. It may seem scary to take the beaten path, but maybe that path is just what you need.
