This illustration shows the national trend of more high schoolers opting to take a gap year before college. This educational break can be spent traveling, doing mission work or completing apprenticeships. Experts, like research analyst Julia Rodgers, say that gap years provide a much-needed mental break that motivates students to complete their degree in four years; therefore, helping students to save money on tuition costs. But critics point out that gap years are merely an excuse to postpone school work. Illustration by Mei Wai Lee.