In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. 

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this.

High school graduates are sometimes advised to take a gap year before they begin their academic studies. While there are certain benefits for young people in doing so, the disadvantages of leaving school for a year should be considered as well.

Students who find it rewarding to take a gap year often claim that it provides them with financial and mental benefits. Simply put, by working and earning money before they embark on university studies, students will find it much easier to manage the high expenses and tuition fees of universities. Moreover, the ones who opt to travel gain life experience, which will help them improve their quality of life. For instance, students who travel to Japan always return to their home countries knowing how to lead a long and healthy life. This way, they begin their studies with a fresh perspective toward life and the challenges that it brings.

However, spending a year away from their studies may not always end with the students returning to school. For one thing, some students may find their business opportunities too exciting or lucrative to leave and return to school life. For example, upon graduation, some students decide to become YouTubers. After they have made some money this way, they may not look at college or university as the doorways to success. For another, the ones who travel for an entire year may realize that they have forgotten many of the concepts, such as mathematics, that are required to succeed during tertiary education. As a result, they may decide not to continue with their education. These life-altering scenarios sometimes keep students from unlocking their true potentials through academic studies and lead them toward failure.

In conclusion, working or traveling for a year after high school graduation may help students financially and make them wiser, but it may also lead to disenchantment with education once the gap year is over.

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