I agree with what everyone is saying take a year off. However with a history degree prepare to find a job not related to the field. All my friends who have a BA in history are having a tough time finding anything substantial. On top student loan payments start 6 months after graduation. So maybe a MA is feasible. I went straight from BA to MA albeit my MA is not in history I have not struggled. But then again I am not going to a top University therefore the coursework is not entirely terrible.