Lots of comments are rejecting your question. I’d like to answer it, but I’m having a hard time. I don’t know what your goals are, so I can’t give specific advi

Lots of comments are rejecting your question. I’d like to answer it, but I’m having a hard time. I don’t know what your goals are, so I can’t give specific advice. Something encourages people to speak abstractly. I suggest you don’t do that here. Be as specific as you’re comfortable with. For example, what skills? I’m also a little confused because you want to work on your own project, but you’re asking how to find opportunities. Do you already have a project? If you’re not trying to make money or work with anyone else, the opportunities are endless. You need no one’s permission. It’s like finding a poem that you will write. You’re still searching, but it’s with pencil and paper. You won’t find your poem in someone else’s book. I do agree with some other comments that a year off will reduce your probability of finishing college. But that’s just a vague feeling. And if it’s not good to take a year off before college, or during, or after, or at the beginning of your career, and by the middle you certainly have too many responsibilities, is there ever a good time? Even controlling for financial security, taking a year to do some things seems to be the kind of thing happier people do. If I have any general advice, it’s to spend at least 3 months of that time doing some activity really outside of your plan but still calls you. And plan on just doing that and then it’s over. It doesn’t need to be a new identity fantasy. Maybe it’s scuba diving in Kotao, language immersion, building bookshelves, singing, who knows. Actually, I’d highly recommend a Wilderness First Responder course and / or EMT-B school. Less than a month, very valuable.