What are the best country's for a gap year?

Should I take a gap year?

• Before you read, know that this is a long question so feel free to carry on but I will appreciate it :) : I've had a stressful year during my A2 course. From struggling in my A-levels to parents and relatives putting me down. I wanted to go to Anglia Ruskin to study Wildlife Biology, which is in Cambridge and I live in London. I've looked at the distance and its about 50 miles and takes 1hr and 5 mins to get there by driving. At first, I thought I could go there because I wanted to move out but now I'm having second thoughts because: 1)Some friends are convincing me not to because I don't have a job, won't have income from parents if I do move out and I'm not sure if I'm ready. 2) My mum keeps telling me not to move out because I think she thinks she'll lose me Then I thought I could drive there but I still haven't started to learn driving yet because of A-levels and other stress. So I can't drive. Also, my dad does not want me to do this and keeps shouting and verbally abusing me over it. It makes me have second thoughts about it sometimes. It made me think about it so much that I was thinking of taking a gap year but he shouted at me over that too and told me not to take a gap year so I don't know what he wants. Anyway, now I'm thinking of staying at home but since I can't drive and won't be likely to learn by then, I thought of taking the National Rail instead. I was thinking of getting a season ticket but it costs £3800 for a year or £390 a month. That is way too expensive for me plus the distance is an issue. It takes an hour and a half to get to Cambridge plus walking will take another 20minutes so that's 2 hours. I can probably do this if I save up plus getting Maintenance Grant but a lot of money and time is going to go away. My dad has been verbally abusive a lot this year and its making me stress out even more. At this rate, I don't think I can pass my exams let alone go Uni. So, I'm not sure what I should do. If I take a gap year, my dad will shout at me a lot and I will have to pay extra tuition fees but I will have lots of time to think things through. I want to do the course. It's just the journey there and the thought of moving out. I felt I rushed UCAS and I can't really talk to anyone except my Biology teacher. But since he's not here, I have to ask Y!A: What should I do? Should I take a gap year? Thanks to anyone reading this loooong question and I appreciate any answers. People who have nothing helpful to say don't have to say anything.

• Answer:

  Hi im a student at university of chester, i felt rushed into filling out UCAS applications and peer pressure from lectures at college. What you tend to find is that university's have open days so you will get a feel of them and also an insight of what campus life would in-tail.I would not suggest picking one persist university if you haven't looked around a couple and got a feel for them. I don't think it is possible to cover the distance you are wanting to travel and arrive at lectures fully awake and ready to learn as most lectures are run at 9am. You also have to take into account many university courses aren't as it explains on the can (such as my course sport development isn't as piratical as it sounds more the paper work behind it.) Also I have found during my course that some days you are only in for two hours that day and to travel 50 miles for two hours can be really annoying. I only travel half an hour and i still find annoying or for example when a lecturer doesn't turn up and you travelled all that way for nothing. Also you have got to think about getting your assignments in on time as most have a submission deadline and if you don't submit them on time due to faulty transport then marks are deducted. Moving out is difficult but on our campus everyone tends to be friendly however our rooms are quite small with a shared toilet and bathroom and kitchenettet. Many campuses tend to put on activities such as sport and have student union bar so you can meet lots of new people i just think your parents are shocked about the initial moving out process but they want whats best for you. You really need to think why is this the only university ive been looking at and what can other places other me, because chances are you might not beaccepted through UCAS by that uni depending on UCAS points. I would recommend looking into open university as this means you can stay at home and study maybe around work commitment. Hope this helps Lou