When you've finished your studies at school and college, do you feel like a well-earned rest? If you're about to embark on a course at university, you will want to recharge your batteries, let your hair down and have some fun. But how long should you do that for? Now the idea of taking a year off before you move into further education seems to be the thing to do.

A year off- also called a gap year- is not a new concept, but there's now a focus on making the most of this break from academic life. Long gone are the days of just hanging out on a beach or backpacking round the world. While that is still an option, a gap year is now more about gaining skill that will help you in