Is there a wrong time to take a gap year? Not really. (Although, we do suggest steering clear of rainy season in Asia if possible.) It’s all about finding the right time for you. If you’re a recent high school graduate who has no clue what they want to study in college, your time will be better spent on a gap year abroad, getting a firsthand look at how the world works, and learning more about yourself and your wants.

Or, if you’re about to graduate college and aren’t sure you actually chose the right field of study anymore, going on a gap year is a great way to take some time to figure it out, while still building skills and having one-of-a-kind experiences. Don’t worry about timing your gap year the right way—just keep your (you guessed it!) gap year goals in mind and your experience will be worthwhile.