If you wondering about why take a gap year, take a gap year to work or volunteer and discover what you want out of life after high school. Doing this might help confirm a college major or alter plans altogether.
Gap years can range from an extended vacation to studying abroad; here are the main advantages to take one.
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It’s a time to explore
Students take gap years to better understand their career goals or just take a much-needed break from academic life. Doing this allows them to build up skills and interests which make deciding on an area of study much simpler in college.
Gap years are increasingly becoming popular across Europe and Australia, while recently seeing increased adoption in North America. Malia Obama’s decision to delay attending Harvard sparked significant interest in gap years as she made headlines with her decision.
Many schools allow their students to take a gap year before attending university, although it’s wise to consult their admissions teams first. Also worth exploring is funding opportunities as gaps could impede your financial aid and scholarships; so plan your gap year with this in mind as well as saving for travels or any additional expenses you might encounter during this time.
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It’s a time to build life skills
Gap years can provide students with invaluable life skills that help prepare them for adulthood, such as cooking and budgeting. Other students may opt to learn a foreign language or take on volunteering opportunities during their gap year.
Soft skills that will prove useful when navigating the working world and developing long-term career satisfaction may include learning a foreign language (which demonstrates adaptability and empathy), volunteering, or both.
Some students may feel intimidated by taking a gap year, worried they’ll fall behind their peers in college and lose academic momentum. It is essential that students remember taking a gap year is their choice and feel intentional when making this decision. Furthermore, they should make sure it fits financially into their personal circumstances and goals.
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It’s a time to pursue a passion
If you’re uncertain of your study options or desired life direction, taking a gap year allows you to experience other cultures and broaden your perspective – this experience could prove invaluable during college and later when entering the workplace.
Travel and volunteering are popular choices, but a gap year can also be spent working, starting a business, or pursing personal projects that spark your interest. Becoming an Instagram influencer, learning to bake cakes or coaching soccer are all great experiences that will enhance your career pathway and make you better prepared.
Gap years can provide an opportunity to recharge and make progress toward your goals before beginning college, but it is vitally important that you carefully research each plan that aligns with both short-term and long-term aims. Too long a break could delay your future and leave you feeling like time has been wasted – take note!
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It’s a time to re-evaluate
A gap year provides a fantastic opportunity to reflect upon your education, career goals and passions. For instance, if you want to study teaching during your gap year, volunteering at local schools will allow you to gain first-hand experience and determine whether that path is truly for you. Furthermore, immersing yourself in new cultures or languages might open your eyes up to new ideas about yourself and what matters to you in terms of goals and interests.
As your peers progress through college life, it may make you feel left behind. But O’Shea asserts that taking a gap year and choosing your activities wisely could give you an advantage when returning to university.
Make the most of your gap year by having a clear goal and vision in mind for how you want it to unfold. Don’t forget, college applications can still be submitted before and defer enrollment until after your break – this is an effective way of making sure you make the most of this year off!
