Wow, I could have written that myself. I graduated with a BS degree in mechanical engineering in 2007. I started university at age 17. I got a full-ride scholarship to go to school so deferring was not a realistic choice for me. The first 3 years I spent floating around, not sure what I was doing there, not sure I wanted to be there, not sure where I was going. I didn’t like school – except the social scene and freedom – and I didn’t do that well. By my last two years I realized the grandness of the opportunity I had been given and buckled down a little. I got by and got out. I then worked for two years (couldn’t afford to do anything else), made a good amount of money (going to school was a great investment for me, even if I didn’t take it seriously), and recently quit because I being tied to a desk in an office was suffocating. I don’t think I want to continue what I am doing, so I’m reassessing. If I didn’t have that scholarship, I never would have gone straight to university. I would have got some menial job and floated for a while, saved money, then traveled the world, just like you want to. I have always wanted to take a 5 or 10 year world trip, and have not gotten around to it yet. I may have been in the same place I am now, maybe not, I’m not sure. If you already know what you want to study, I say go for it. University – in the states anyway – is quite different from high school. You will be surrounded by intellectuals that will fill your head with new ideas. You can always take a break after your first year. You can always study abroad. I just wouldn’t want you to turn down university now, and never go back. If you aren’t sure about engineering, I’d say take the break. Use the time to figure out what you want and learn more about who you are. Give yourself a deadline and stick to it. Make a pact with your mom about when you’ll start uni.