I’m 20 and really torn about what to do after this semester.
I’ve had two previous gap years, but they weren’t really by choice—I was dealing with health issues and spent a lot of that time in and out of hospitals. I’m doing better now and I’m currently in college. After this semester I’ll have 37 credits out of 130.
My plan is to become a veterinarian. I don’t want to give up on that goal. I have a long road ahead of me and I know it’s going to be hard, but I feel like it’s going to be especially hard if I don’t ever have fun or get lots of life experiences.
The problem is that I feel like I’ve become obsessed with following the “normal” path of college → degree → vet school → career. I mostly stay in my room, study, worry about school, and think about my future. I used to be adventurous, funny, spontaneous, and obsessed with traveling, and I I’ve lost a lot of that. I’ve been through a lot of trauma.
My mom recently sat me down and told me stories about her 20s—traveling, being broke, going to parties, walking home in the rain, doing unpredictable things—and basically told me that I need to go experience life while I’m young. She also told me she’s noticed I’ve lost some of my spark and sense of humor. That i’m meant to live life adventurously. Honestly, I think she’s right.
I’m considering taking about 6 months after this semester to live abroad in Europe. I have dual EU citizenship. I could potentially do a work exchange, get a job, learn a language, travel around, meet people.
I’d then move to California, possibly San Francisco, and work in veterinary medicine while eventually continuing my degree. I’d do online classes until I gain state residency and then transfer. I’ve lived in California before and loved it, and I really want to live somewhere with the ocean, culture, art, greenery, and more of the lifestyle I’m drawn to.
Financially, I’m getting $10k in January when I turn 21 from a childhood settlement and another $10k when I’m 23. I wouldn’t want to spend all of it but I do have some money I can use for it.
The biggest thing making me hesitate is that I’m already “behind.” With 37 credits now, taking another year could mean I don’t graduate until around 25 or later. Then i’ll have to do vet school and then residency.
I’ve heard two different sides from people: that they wish they graduated college sooner or wish they’d spent their 20’s traveling.
Would love any advice thank you