President Obama’s older daughter Malia Obama is all grown up and ready to be shipped off to college!

She was supposed to be a part of Harvard’s class of 2020, but Malia has decided to take a year off from her studies. The White House did not mention what Malia plans to do during that gap, but we’re sure it would help her become an even better version of herself.

So instead, the senior at Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C. will be a member of the Harvard class of 2021. It is still not known what she shall be studying there, but it seems that she followed in the footsteps of her parents with her choice of college.

Did you know, both the President and the First Lady have attended Harvard law school?

President Obama even told the New York Times in 2015 that he was advising his daughter to carve her own path ahead when choosing a school.

He said, “The whole point is for you to push yourself out of your comfort level, meet people you haven’t met before, take classes that you hadn’t thought of before.” 

Malia’s decision to take a year gap after high school would certainly raise a lot of eyebrows here in India. It left me wondering, why is this “phenomenon” so freaking uncommon in our country? Why don’t WE have the liberty to take a year off from our education and concentrate on just ourselves? Wouldn’t it be such a great opportunity to travel, to explore ourselves, and most importantly to find out what we truly want from life?!

Indians often take a year off after graduation, but certainly not after high school.

Why do they expect us to know exactly what we want to do for the rest of our lives at such a tender age? But, that’s not it. Even we are conditioned in such a manner,  that even the idea of taking a year off doesn’t come naturally to us! Or maybe, we ourselves forbid us to think about it because of the nail-biting competition that surrounds us from all corners. We see ALL of our friends sending in their applications to various institutes and getting accepted! Taking a year off is as ‘un-thinkable’ as not going to college altogether.

But I truly think, that if you are even one bit apprehensive about going to college, or the course that you wish you pursue, then ask your parents to give you some time. DU isn’t going anywhere, nor are any of the other universities. This would also allow you to learn from your peers’ mistakes, make your choices accordingly and prepare peacefully for your dream college. With Board examinations looming large, there is honestly NO time to research upon scholarships or the various available course options.

Yes, you will lose an academic year, but think of all the other things that you shall gain instead! You’ll be more focused, more confident and clear about your goals. That being said, you must take a year off if you’re willing to come out of your comfort zone and do something extra-ordinary, like travelling. Malia is certainly not going to stay at home and watch television all day on the couch!

Times are changing, and so are trends. Don’t follow the people around you, because they’re doing what works best for THEM. You need to figure out what works best for YOU.

All the best!