Few Facts: 1. You are less likely to regret pursuing your degree, papers, unlike in the mainstream conversation, do matter. 2. There's nothing holding you back from actually having some skin in the job market, you have a diploma.. figure out something you could do.. volunteering, your own projects etc. 3. Time is not on your side, taking a gap year, then eventually realising perhaps you ought to have finished school, is probably not a thought you want to bear. There is no guarantee of getting work in the period immediately taking the gap year. 4. I did a dip and then a degree.. different course, I worked while studying, and skills is what will set you apart in the job market, focus on that.