taking a year off

[onestep]

I am planning to get a deferral before going to University. I am just not sure right now how I am going to spend my time over the year break. I want to have some good experiences and opportunities and make some money as well. I really do not want to work full time at a minimum wage job for the whole year. I am hoping to do some traveling. I am just having a hard time finding where to start. anyone know of any good places I can look for some job opportunities?

[jadoocian]

try posting in careers section.

[corrupt123]

Ughh, so much to say.

First of all, I was in the same boat. However, half way into my 12 year I realised I hadn't taken 2 courses (the 11 of chem, and I'd still need the 12) so I spread out my grade 12 year, and instead of taking a whole year off, I just took the 2nd semester off - returning for 1 extra semester. This is kind of irrelevant, but heres what really got me:

I took the Advanced Funictions & Introductory Calc course and the Vectors and Descrete Geometry course last year, in grade 12, when it was the old curriculum. I didn't do this for any specific reason other than the fact that I had already lined things up this way. Why does this suck? Well, the 2 new courses that replaced what I took are MUCH easier. As a result, my #1 choice for university (McGill) rejected me, because (I suspect) they just used a computer and I didn't fall within the range of averages for this years acceptances. Literally everyone I've talked to has pulled 90's in these classes, and since the 2 old math's were my lowest marks (82 & 76 respectively) these pulled my average down. I'm 100% sure i'd not only be eligible, but I'd have pulled some fat scholarships if I had re-arranged all my courses and taken the new maths.

ANYWAYS - thats just something to keep in mind. At this point I don't think the curriculum will be changing between now and when you apply, but I need to vent anyway.

Onto other things - DEFINITLY DONT SPEND A YEAR WORKING. Also, dont spend a year off lazing around the house. Seriously go out and do things. I'm travelling around Europe, among other things, and I think this summer I'll be working fulltime, with overtime if I can help it. Then I'm off to Uni in sept.

Another thing to keep in mind is applying. It'll be a different (and probably slightly more lengthly) process for you since you've taken a year off. Also, based on the applications I did this year the universities will want to know why you took a year off. You had better do something worthwhile, because they'll want to know what you did and why you did it.

Good luck!

[tomotomo]

Are you sure you want to take a year off? A year off is ALOT of time and it's not surprising you're wondering how you'll spend your time over the year break . Why do you want to take a year off ?I considered taking a year off too, but chose not too, because at the time the thought of taking a year off was really appealing when i was just sick/burned out/bored of school.

[BadDrafter]

Onto other things - DEFINITLY DONT SPEND A YEAR WORKING. Also, dont spend a year off lazing around the house. Seriously go out and do things.

+1