Ms Lucas, like so many of her classmates, is taking a gap year. 

The decision comes on the back of new data revealing a third of Australian university students will not complete their degree within six years.

Ms Lucas said she wanted to be sure of her career path before jumping into university. 

“I’ve been accepted to a number of courses but I am not sure which path I want to take,” Ms Lucas said. 

“Friends keep telling me people who take gap years don’t go back to uni but I believe it is because uni wasn’t for them. 

“I may as well save some money and work that out before I get there.” 

The research shows that even nine years after the 2006 cohort began their studies, only 73.5 per cent of students had completed a course.

Ms Lucas said her parents were supportive of her decision, but her older relatives struggled to understand the trend. 

“People tell me it’s not a good idea but I think it’s fantastic,” she said. 

“I think it is just the way the older generation thinks.” 

Out of about 40 of Ms Lucas’ friends, she said only one is headed straight to uni, with all others in favour of taking a year off. 

Ms Lucas is headed to Canada for six months, to travel and work at a mountain bike park. 

She said the stress of year 12 and the accessibility of travel is the reason behind its popularity. 

“The people who I thought would go straight to uni are all taking gap years,” Ms Lucas said. 

“Travel is so easy these days – it is well advertised and cheaper than ever before and it inspires you to find a direction.” 

Ms Lucas said she is funding her own trip, through years of part time work, while some friends will be furiously saving in coming months to head overseas.