Taking a year off between between high school and college is one of the best things a teen can do. To travel, see the country, see the world, hike some long trail, volunteer for community service, get involved in a humanitarian project. To have an adventure, meet different people, learn a few things that can only come from exposing yourself to what's out there, away from home. I don't know why more American kids don't do it.

Life gets busy and complicated much too quickly. Nine-to-five jobs, student loans, car payments, house payments, credit card debt. So if you don't seize the opportunity at this critical time, it can be years before the chance comes around again. Make a plan, then do it.

One of the best things I ever did was to take some time off between Bangor High School and the University of Maine. I spent the better part of six months hiking the Appalachian Trail. And when I returned home I spent even more time hiking and climbing and carousing around Maine. That was good for a year.

I probably didn't need the second year off, however. Because I inevitably got into the usual trouble that often plagues teenagers with too much time on their hands (no, you don't need to know!).

But the upside to that was, when it finally came time to go to college, I was soooooooooooo ready for it! And with a couple of years of travel and outdoors stuff under my belt, as well as some time spent slinging burgers for minimum wage, I knew college was the right direction.

And just look at how well I turned out!

Did you do anything fun and interesting between high school and college?