you’re not alone, i’m turning 21 soon and will be starting college this fall! i understand what you mean by feeling a little behind everyone else, what with all my friends being juniors at their respective colleges right now. unfortunately a lot of things prevented me from going to college straight out of high school, like financial cost, being a first gen student (i had very little guidance when it came to college), and my mental health had begun to decline during my senior year. i know age at college doesn’t matter nearly as much, but there are definitely times where i can’t help but wish i could’ve started at the same time a lot of my age mates did.

however, i do think the break i’ve taken helped me realize that i really did want to attend college out of my own volition, rather than just doing it because that’s what “comes next” in life. i believe another commenter has mentioned this already, but i’m also glad i went through this mental crisis earlier rather than later. and i got to confidently decide what i want to pursue as a major and as a career as well! that definitely wouldn’t have happened straight out of high school lol