i'd say only take a gap year if you've definitely got plans that you will definitely stick to. if you want to go overseas, make sure you can afford it and plan where you want to go and what you want to do while you're there (volunteer? work? do the backpacker thing?). if you want to work, figure out what kind of work and start applying for jobs. whatever you do, don't rest on your laurels and sit at home watching tv for a year. you'll end up bored, broke and with no prospect of employment afterwards because no employer is going to look favourably on a whole wasted year with nothing to show for it. if that sounds like you, i'd go to uni. otherwise, go for the gap year.