(Email) Dear friend, It’s great to hear that you want to spend (or take) a gap year! Of course I'll tell you how I prepared for mine. It’s too bad your parents don't agree with the idea, but I’ll give you some advice to try to convince them. The first thing you have to do is consult your college's policies about gap years and you’ll almost certainly have to write a letter explaining why you want to defer your entry and what you intend to do during that time. Regarding how I prepared myself: when it came to travelling abroad to work and become fluent in another language, I had to do a thorough research on the Internet about jobs, housing and courses; the second half of my gap year I returned home and volunteered in a nearby NGO, having applied plenty of time in advance so I could choose the activities related to my degree. Regarding your parents, they’d be happy to know that most colleges are cool with gap years as they see their potential benefits. They could improve your work experience, skills, future grades and prevent you from getting burnt out from studying. We all know how stressful the high school's year is, trying your best to get admitted to a certain college. You have to get your parents to see it not only as part of your educational plan, but also as an important consideration for your mental health. I hope all the above will be useful to you. Let me know the outcome as soon as you can. (is there a more informal way than “the resolution”?) Best wishes!,