If you don’t feel like you should be going to university rn, my advice would be to listen to your gut and don’t go.

If you plan on working and saving money, or doing anything productive, then your gap year won’t be a waste. Honestly, even you just wanted to take a break from education and focus on your health, it still won’t be a waste. You don’t need some extraordinary reason to take a gap year.

If being a year behind and graduating a year late is your major concern, I understand it, I truly do, but I won’t be so worried about it. I was considering a gap year after graduating last year, but took a victory lap instead. So I’ll be a year behind and graduating university a year late as well. And there are are many people who take an extra year to finish their undergrad degree, it’s quite common actually. Life isn’t a race, take your time and do what you think is the best for you.

Personally, that one extra year, even though it wasn’t a break from education at all, was very helpful to me. I felt much prepared for post-secondary and have a much better mindset now regarding my education. Also, I took this time to learn some important life skills and prepare myself for living independently. There are so many things you can do with a gap year, there are endless opportunities, and it can definitely be a very different learning experience. The only downside I can think of is it can be a bit lonely.

Feel free to dm if you have any questions or want to talk about this!