I would have liked to have been an exchange student somewhere after high school and before college. I went straight to college at a large university, but I don't think that's necessarily the only option or best option. I think I might have done better to go to a community college and transferred to a regular college. I also REALLY wish I had spent a year abroad in college. I just didn't have my act together to pursue it. I wanted to do it but somehow I thought it would just happen, magically, by wishing for it. When no one offered it, I figured I must not be good enough. Youth is wasted on the Young!

My brother worked as a carpenter's helper for a year before he went to college, learned about paying bills and being on time and teamwork--stuff you don't learn in art history classes! He was ready for college and life after that; it's taken me a lot longer to figure it out.

I think a gap year should be required!