Yes! I'm really glad I took this year out between school and university. Like some other, it was unplanned because I missed out on my firm uni (Nottingham) by a couple of marks, and didn't get in. I didn't really want to go to my insurance choice (Staffordshire) as the course wasn't as challenging, the campus not as nice, lower in rankings table etc.
So, I decided to do a Year In Industry placement at an Engineering firm. This is especially useful for me as I'm going into an Engineering degree next year! (Yes, I've got my place now officially at my first choice uni! Woo hoo!)
I moved out from my parents house, and now I'm living two hours away from them. I pay my own rent, buy my own food, phone bill, clothes etc on the salary I'm earning in my placement and I'm managing to save about have my pay check each month for spending at uni.
Okay, so I don't go out that much and don't have my friends my own age in the area but I've become so independant I love it! This year has made me grow up so quickly, and I've become used to doing things on my own. It's going to give me great experience, and employer's will hopefully be impressed by it.
It's been a nice break from education, and I'm doing something productive with my time! I can't imagine if I'd gone for my insurance choice. I would probably regret the decision for the rest of my life.
Now I've got a year living on my own, a year's work experience and a place at Nottingham Uni under my belt.
So in short again, yes very glad I took a gap year.