This might be an unpopular opinion, but skipping college could turn out to be a big mistake for you. I know you say you're deferring for a year, but lets get re

This might be an unpopular opinion, but skipping college could turn out to be a big mistake for you. I know you say you're deferring for a year, but lets get real: A year turns into 2 years, turns into 3 years, turns into "Well, I just started working and never got the chance..." (More on this, later). And I'm not saying this because I think you'll learn one particular thing at the university (doesn't matter which) that will set your life straight, but it's the experiences you'll have and the people you'll meet. If anything, everything I learned in school, I pretty much taught myself. What school provided most for me was the opportunity, and eventually the ability, to move towards self-sufficiency in a number of areas. If you're going to be jumping into living on your own and don't have the chance to live with friends (If you're working near where some friends are going to school, you could live with them, and get some of the experience they'll have, as well as save some money and have a lot more fun), then be aware you're about to have a hell of a lot more responsibility on your shoulders. It sounds silly and obvious, but no boss in their right mind will accept an answer like "Well, I can't come in today because I've kinda been slacking on my laundry and I don't have anything to wear." One of the great things those few years living on your own, while still in a "safe" environment like school will teach you, is a proper respect for having to take care of yourself, because no one else will do it, and whats expected of you , generally, rises gradually so that you can adjust to it as you need to. All that said, so long as you're a bright person, able to teach yourself new things, and have a positive attitude toward what you're doing, there isn't much college will do for you in our field that a solid few years of life experience won't, with some small exceptions (There is a very real and very "heavy" academic side to what we do, and you could gain a lot of insight and knowledge from being exposed to it, but that sort of thing isn't for everyone). As for the time slipping away from you - be prepared for that to happen. Especially with start ups. Depending on how early this start up is, you could be doing a lot of work and wearing a great deal of hats. This is not a bad thing, but for someone young, the level of responsibility can be intoxicating. Be careful not to lose yourself in your work, and always remember: It's just a job. For more on the harrowing details of how a startup can fail, read this memoir I wrote that I shamelessly (and anonymously) plug: http://lookingbackaretrospective.posterous.com http://lookingbackaretrospective.posterous.com These are all my opinions - Take them at their worth and just do what you feel is best for you. Just don't forget to take time for yourself.