Quote:
Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB
During that year off he can use the time to mature some more, to work and save money and to sort out what he wants to do. A year off can give him the opportunity to grow and mature. A year off, in the "real world" will also give him perspective. At the end of the sabbatical, he can eitehr go back to college or he can join the workforce!
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This is basically what I did, long ago, when I graduated from high school. I passed that last year of school with mediocre grades, not because I couldn't do the work but because I just didn't care to. I was bored and completely lacking in motivation. I made the choice to take a year off between high school and university. I ended up managing the small lube/tire garage that I had been a part-time supervisor at for the previous 2 years while also taking some night-school classes to upgrade my grades in my weakest subjects (which were math and science, just like your son).
The result, for me at least, was attacking university with a passion and graduating with high distinction on the dean's honour list. That year off provided me with clarity and motivation. It helped me figure out what I wanted to do. It also taught me valuable life skills that I have used and continue to use this day. I know my parents had some concerns about me getting hooked on the money I was earning at 18 years old and not going back to school, but that didn't happen. I was managing some people who fell into that trap, and I could see that they hadn't even attained what I was doing at 18 in terms of success or earnings. It was a good object lesson *and* it helped me save for university as well.
Looking back now, 18 years after making that decision, I know it was the right one. At the same time, if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have pursued a university degree. I would have gone into a trade to become a plumber or electrician or tool and dye specialist. I think there is an unfair amount of pressure on young people to pursue university as the path to success, that somehow only a degree can get you respect and a job out in the "real world". I disagree. I've written cheques to professional electricians and plumbers to do work that is beyond my skill level so I've got a pretty good idea of what they can earn. And in this day and age, when fewer and fewer people know how to fix things themselves (just like with their cars), people who know how to fix things properly are getting the respect they deserve. Sometimes they almost seem like magicians.