A gap year gives a teen time to gain perspective, insight, and direction. The high school years can be exhausting for a teen, leaving little time to think about the future.
Here I want to share one example,
I spoke with the parents of a student-athlete who spent the months between October and April of his high school years on the road competing. He would spend the rest of his time studying, catching up on missed assignments and tests, and preparing for college admissions. He had almost no time left for life outside of sports and schoolwork. By the time he graduated from high school, he was burnt out and needed a break. After applying and receiving college acceptance letters, he decided to explore his interest in economics and finance and interned with a wealth management company. He developed new skills and knowledge in his chosen industry and learned so much about himself that by the time he started college, he knew what he wanted to do with his life.
A gap year provides a teen with time to explore new activities and/or deepen knowledge and involvement into already established interests and passions.