| It's true that traditionally most students go to college | | | | but it is also a great way to learn self-discipline and to |
| immediately after graduation from high school. | | | | learn more about yourself. You can serve your |
| However, for some students it's not a bad idea to | | | | country, earn money towards college, and rack up a |
| take a break between high school and college. It can | | | | few years of extremely valuable work experience. |
| help alleviate feelings of educational burnout and | | | | The martial arts self defense and combat self |
| provide students with great life experiences. If you're | | | | defense skills taught in basic training can help young |
| considering postponing your college education, here | | | | adults develop self-esteem and get in peak physical |
| are some alternatives to explore: | | | | condition. |
| Get to Work | | | | Travel |
| Getting a full-time job can be challenging and | | | | For many high school graduates the year after high |
| rewarding. It helps young adults transition into | | | | school is a chance to travel and explore other parts |
| adulthood and teaches them valuable life skills such as | | | | of the world. Traveling to foreign countries will give |
| budgeting, developing a solid work ethic, and planning | | | | you valuable experience in languages and cultures |
| for the future. In order to find stability, it might be | | | | that you can't get in the classroom. As you learn |
| best for students to begin working for a larger | | | | more about yourself, you may discover that you |
| company where pay and benefits are likely to be | | | | want to study abroad, or relocate to a different |
| consistent. Many find that they can establish a solid | | | | country. Traveling can also prepare you for life on a |
| career before college, and some workplaces even | | | | college campus as you learn to adjust to new and |
| offer college tuition assistance or reimbursement if | | | | unfamiliar situations. Traveling can be an expensive |
| you decide to go to college later. | | | | alternative. You may find it necessary to work for a |
| Become a Volunteer | | | | year or two first. Another way to make traveling |
| As a volunteer you can really make a difference. | | | | affordable is to try to gain employment in a foreign |
| Whether you volunteer locally or you decide to go | | | | country or to become part of an exchange program. |
| abroad, volunteer experience is great for the resume | | | | In the end, you may decide that college isn't meant |
| and for helping people develop their interests and | | | | for you after all. But if you do decide to go to |
| discover their strengths and weaknesses. At the end | | | | college after taking a break for a year or two, you |
| of your volunteer service you can apply to college or | | | | will find that college is there waiting for you. As more |
| use your knowledge and new-found skills to find a | | | | young adults decide to explore their options, colleges |
| job that matches your interests and abilities. | | | | are seeing a rise in the number of non-traditional |
| Join the Military | | | | students admitted each year. |
| No one can deny it: joining the military can be risky, | | | | |