The words "gap year" come with many stigmas. Some think they're only meant for slackers, some think they're invaluable because it only increases the time it takes to get to the "real world," and a large amount of others don't really know what they mean. A gap year is what you make it; it's personalized to you. A variety of things can make up a gap year such as working, saving money, trying new things, interning, traveling across the globe, or just traveling down the road. It doesn't have to be an expensive endeavor, you can experience a ton without breaking the bank.
I recently graduated high school and am heading into my gap year in the coming months. It was a hard decision for me to make: did I want to continue on with (what seemed like) everyone else going straight to college or to stray and do something different? It was hard at first to accept that some people are not very supportive of gap years, but with research and prayer, I decided that would embark on a gap year of my own. Now I simply can't wait for the year ahead and am confident in my choice! I also discovered that I was not the only one on this path. Hundreds of other students are doing the same thing! Colleges are also getting on board. Harvard and Yale University encourage students to defer enrollment for a year. This speaks volumes! And in the end, it doesn't matter what other people think, it's your life to live, and you are perfectly justified in your decisions.
I'm a person who does a lot of contemplation and planning before I take action. Low and behold, the same was true when I was deciding whether a gap year was right for me. Here are some things I learned in my research to feel confident in my choice.
Why take a gap year?
1. Burnout
Personally, high school was a hard time for me both educationally and socially. I pushed all of my efforts into grades and tests and homework, so much so that a break would do me good. My efforts paid off, but for the last decade of my life, the vast majority of my focus was on school. It's a breath of fresh air to have a chance to shift my energy to other things. I trust that my gap year will reignite my love of learning, not diminish it. It's about allowing yourself to take a moment to do the "wants" and not just the "shoulds".
2. Curiosity about You and the World
There is so much to see and do in the world that is just as (or even more) educational than a classroom! Travel. Job-shadow. Explore your city. Read. Finish that cool project you meant to do years ago. Now is the time to get hands-on experience and to get to know yourself better! What gets you excited? What are your dreams? What do you value? It's OK, and awesome, to be curious.
3. You Don't Know What to Study
If you don't have a clue what you want to study, why head off to college right away? You can jump into a slew of classes and scramble to find your passion, or you can let time and experience guide you. A gap year can give you a clearer sense of your academic path. Think -- would you rather spend $15,000 in tuition figuring out what you want to do or make $15,000 figuring out what you want to do during your gap year? Working in different kinds of atmospheres can reveal a lot about yourself and what you are looking for in a career.
4. Develop Confidence, Resilience, and Self-Direction
A gap year is YOUR year to develop YOU. Experiences you otherwise couldn't have had in school can help you become more driven and confident. It's the things that make us different that make us interesting. You will have stories that no one else has! Find something or somewhere you want to explore and go for it. Think of your 365 days as taking a year "on," not a year "off."
5. You'll Be Ahead of the Game
Working during your gap year can help you better manage college tuition. College debts are rising and rising, so being able to pay more up front will help you get on your feet sooner after graduation. You will also have experiences some college graduates never had. If two identical candidates are up for a job but one of them had a ton of volunteer experience, they would have a leg up. You're one step ahead!
A gap year may be right for you, and there are plenty of legitimate reasons to take one. Fear and doubt will sneak in no matter what, but you have to go with your gut. You are certainly not the only one out there considering this path, and props to you for being intentional about your future. I hope this thought bubble helped you on your journey -- gap year or not!
I recently graduated high school and am heading into my gap year in the coming months. It was a hard decision for me to make: did I want to continue on with (what seemed like) everyone else going straight to college or to stray and do something different? It was hard at first to accept that some people are not very supportive of gap years, but with research and prayer, I decided that would embark on a gap year of my own. Now I simply can't wait for the year ahead and am confident in my choice! I also discovered that I was not the only one on this path. Hundreds of other students are doing the same thing! Colleges are also getting on board. Harvard and Yale University encourage students to defer enrollment for a year. This speaks volumes! And in the end, it doesn't matter what other people think, it's your life to live, and you are perfectly justified in your decisions.
I'm a person who does a lot of contemplation and planning before I take action. Low and behold, the same was true when I was deciding whether a gap year was right for me. Here are some things I learned in my research to feel confident in my choice.
Why take a gap year?
1. Burnout
Personally, high school was a hard time for me both educationally and socially. I pushed all of my efforts into grades and tests and homework, so much so that a break would do me good. My efforts paid off, but for the last decade of my life, the vast majority of my focus was on school. It's a breath of fresh air to have a chance to shift my energy to other things. I trust that my gap year will reignite my love of learning, not diminish it. It's about allowing yourself to take a moment to do the "wants" and not just the "shoulds".
2. Curiosity about You and the WorldThere is so much to see and do in the world that is just as (or even more) educational than a classroom! Travel. Job-shadow. Explore your city. Read. Finish that cool project you meant to do years ago. Now is the time to get hands-on experience and to get to know yourself better! What gets you excited? What are your dreams? What do you value? It's OK, and awesome, to be curious.
3. You Don't Know What to Study
If you don't have a clue what you want to study, why head off to college right away? You can jump into a slew of classes and scramble to find your passion, or you can let time and experience guide you. A gap year can give you a clearer sense of your academic path. Think -- would you rather spend $15,000 in tuition figuring out what you want to do or make $15,000 figuring out what you want to do during your gap year? Working in different kinds of atmospheres can reveal a lot about yourself and what you are looking for in a career.
5. You'll Be Ahead of the Game
Working during your gap year can help you better manage college tuition. College debts are rising and rising, so being able to pay more up front will help you get on your feet sooner after graduation. You will also have experiences some college graduates never had. If two identical candidates are up for a job but one of them had a ton of volunteer experience, they would have a leg up. You're one step ahead!
A gap year may be right for you, and there are plenty of legitimate reasons to take one. Fear and doubt will sneak in no matter what, but you have to go with your gut. You are certainly not the only one out there considering this path, and props to you for being intentional about your future. I hope this thought bubble helped you on your journey -- gap year or not!
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