<p>Hello!
I'm a senior in high school (about to graduate) and have decided to take a year off before applying/attending a college in Texas (A&M or Texas State). Now, I'm wondering what productive things i could do during that year? I was rather lazy during my senior year and did not sign up for any scholarships (i'm still kicking my bum over that), so any advice on what to do to raise money as well would be greatly appreciated. :)</p>
<p>Usually people decide to gap year because they already have interesting plans in place. Get a job? Volunteer? Travel?</p>
<p>I would recommend working for half the year then travelling for the next half. In Australia, where gap years are very common (probably about 50% of people take them) that’s the standard thing to do, and from my friends/family experiences it sounds amazing! You can also always volunteer while your oversees eg teach English</p>
<p>I am currently doing a gap year. I worked for most of it, then used some of the money to travel. Also try to get involved in the community in some way because after your workday you probably won’t have a social life…therefore an “extracurricular” is a great use of your time.</p>
<p>Here is a useful article:
[7</a> Questions to Ask When Considering a Gap Year - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/right-school/timeline/articles/2010/05/19/7-questions-to-ask-when-considering-a-gap-year]7”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/right-school/timeline/articles/2010/05/19/7-questions-to-ask-when-considering-a-gap-year)</p>
<p>Believe it or not, entire books have been written on this topic! See if your public library or school library has any of these:
[Lonely</a> Planet The Gap Year Book (General Reference): Joe Bindloss, Charlotte Hindle, Andrew Dean Nystrom: 9781740598651: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Year-General-Reference/dp/1740598652]Lonely”>http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Year-General-Reference/dp/1740598652)
[The</a> Complete Guide to the Gap Year: The Best Things to Do Between High School and College: Kristin M. White: 9780470425268: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Guide-Gap-Year/dp/0470425261/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cp_1_Q9V3]The”>http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Guide-Gap-Year/dp/0470425261/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cp_1_Q9V3)
[Amazon.com:</a> The Gap-Year Advantage: Helping Your Child Benefit from Time Off Before or During College: Karl Haigler, Rae Nelson: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/The-Gap-Year-Advantage-Helping-Benefit/dp/B008SMBD62/ref=pd_cp_b_2]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/The-Gap-Year-Advantage-Helping-Benefit/dp/B008SMBD62/ref=pd_cp_b_2)
[Your</a> Gap Year: The Most Comprehensive Guide to an Exciting and Fulfilling Gap Year: Susan Griffith: 9781854585905: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Your-Gap-Year-Comprehensive-Fulfilling/dp/1854585908/ref=pd_cp_b_1]Your”>http://www.amazon.com/Your-Gap-Year-Comprehensive-Fulfilling/dp/1854585908/ref=pd_cp_b_1)</p>
<p>You can also search here on CC since this must have been discussed before many times!</p>