I took a year off after high school. I wasn't motivated to go to college until I saw what working in a hospital cafeteria was like. Talk about motivating! I lasted 4 months at that job, but it inspired me to put together an awesome portfolio for art school, which I started the next fall.

I know I wouldn't have had as great a college experience if I hadn't taken that year off. Seeing what my options were without a degree was a real wake up call.