Question: Taking a Year Off
My teen wants to take a year off before going to college. I'm not sure I agree. What do I do?
Answer: Your teen could be making a smart decision if they aren't sure about what they want to do in life. College is expensive. Spending that money without having a plan of action for your life can seem like a waste. I have spoken to some young adults who were in college with an undecided major and they have so much more stress because they simply do not know what they want to do. This can lead to a teen dropping out of college or pursuing something that isn't going to be useful.
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The key to making a productive year off is to be proactive. Your teen should get a job and take some time looking at careers that interest him. He could also look at the local community college and take a few courses. Allow him a little more time to make up his mind, but not to be a slug.
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