Should you take a gap year? After progressing non-stop from elementary school through junior high and handling intense course loads in high school, you deserve a breather to discover what life has to offer outside of full-time education. A gap year can be a sweet reset between high school and college, giving you a rare opportunity to do what you want. Normally, after graduating high school, you’ll be old enough to travel on your own and have more time at your disposal without the same responsibilities as adults.
In this sense, a gap year brings you more freedom to choose what direction you want your life to take before you settle on a college program or choose to do something else entirely. In this article, we will give you some ideas on how you can make the most out of your gap year in terms of fulfillment, interests, and even how gap year experiences can benefit your resume and college applications.
The pros of taking a gap year: 1.More Time to Catch Up: If you were really busy in high school and didn't get a chance to catch up on things you've set aside, this is a chance to not only catch up but also prepare ahead. For most people, taking a break is necessary to prepare for college both emotionally and financially. College is a big jump from high school, and sometimes students need to move away from home or manage their finances and tuition themselves, which they need time to prepare for. It is also an opportunity for you to spend time with family and friends and explore things that are meaningful to you. Ask yourself, "What would I miss having time for if I were a busy college student?". Additionally, you can you this time to prepare for collage by taking 1-2 classes that sets you up ahead for collage. Such as bridging programs or improving your high school grades by taking upgrading classes.
2.Diversify Your Experiences: Having more time on your hands will allow you to work on your hobbies, volunteer, and travel! This is one of the most fun ways to use your gap year. Building experiences may seem like a leisure activity, but it offers many benefits: it improves your communication skills, makes you more independent, helps you take responsibility for yourself, allows you to discover other cultures, and gives you opportunities to network and make friends. By diversifying your experiences, you enrich your personal and professional growth. Taking a gap year allows you for time to enjoy activities, whereas once you start collage it becomes harder to create balance between these activates and studying.
3.Improve Your Employability: Time off from school can be best used to save up money for your interests, travel, and college. While you're saving money, you can also learn new skills by trying various different jobs or different roles at one job. This not only boosts your employability but also helps you gain a clearer understanding of what career paths might interest you in the future. Working different jobs can help you build a diverse skill set, including time management, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. You can also pursue internships or apprenticeships in fields you're interested in, providing you with valuable hands-on experience and industry insights. Additionally, engaging in part-time work or freelancing can help you develop a professional network, which can be advantageous when you start your career. By improving your employability during your gap year, you set yourself up for future success.
4.Discover Your Passions: Before jumping into a career and being busy full-time, it is a good idea to ensure you’re setting your future self up for something you will enjoy. Choosing a career path while you're still a teenager in high school, with limited real-world experience, can be challenging. It's completely normal to be uncertain about what you want to do and to need time to explore different possibilities. Especially since once you start a degree, it becomes harder to switch to something else because of the money and time already invested. A gap year is a great opportunity to research careers with strong future prospects, volunteer with different organisations to see what resonates with you, and take individual courses to explore various bachelor's degree options without fully committing. You can do this by enrolling as an independent student at colleges. If you already have a passion, but it's an unconventional path, take this time to research and create a structured plan to achieve your goals. For exampe find a mentor in person or by looking for one on LinkedIn. By putting yourself out there and discovering your passions, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions about your future.
Possible cons: A common misconception is that taking a gap year is detrimental to your career and that gaps in your education or work history can be unfavourable to recruiters and admissions officers. However, if you have a good justification for your gap years such as meaningful experiences then the gap year can actually make you stand out and show your experiences and passions. For example, many careers require previous experience, but it’s very hard to make time for work experience while in college, and it’s more stressful to find them after college. So, why not build on your work experience during your gap year and not have to worry about that when you're taking a full-time college course load?
Another possible downside during your gap year is that leaving school for a while can affect your studying stamina. School provides many people with a daily routine that is well-structured and rigid, constantly demanding effort and attention. When you are no longer required to stick to that routine, your stamina and attention may waver. To counter this, it’s important to keep your attention span stimulated by actively working on something, whether it’s a job, volunteering, or any other commitment with daily responsibilities over the gap year. These activities will help ensure your stamina can easily bounce back once you return to college.
Preplan Your Gap Year To make the most out of your gap year, careful planning is essential—especially if you’re considering a mix of activities. A well-thought-out plan helps you maximize this time and ensures you meet both personal and professional goals.
If Traveling: As mentioned before, traveling is one of the most fulfilling activities you can undertake during your gap year. To make it meaningful and career-beneficial, explore options that combine travel with work or volunteer experiences.
Volunteer Abroad: Consider volunteering at orphanages, mobile clinics, animal rescues, or environmental conservation projects. These experiences help you build deeper connections with communities, make new friends, and can significantly enhance your college and scholarship applications. Don't forget to add these experiences to your resume!Language Exchange Programs: Participate in language exchange programs where you pair up with locals to teach them your language while they teach you theirs. This not only helps you learn a new skill but also allows you to form close friendships and get insider recommendations for exploring the area. A new language is also a great addition to your resume.Key Considerations for Travel:
Working Abroad: Check visa requirements to ensure you have work rights in the country you’re traveling to.Accommodation: Research budget-friendly options like home-stays and hostels. Home-stays allow you to live with a local family, offering cultural immersion and often free accommodation through reputable agencies with good reviews. Hostels are ideal for solo travelers as they provide opportunities to socialize and make friends.Safety Tips: Research common scams and safety tips specific to your destination to ensure a smooth experience.By combining travel with meaningful activities, you’ll return home with enriched experiences, professional growth, and valuable additions to your resume.
If You’re Considering Working: If you already have a clear idea of the career field you’re interested in, use your gap year to reach out to relevant companies for job or internship opportunities. If you're still exploring, internships or voluntary work experience can provide a broader sense of what excites you professionally.
Job Roles and Internships: Full-time or part-time job roles and internships look best on your resume and help you develop key skills for future career paths.Volunteer Work: Long-term volunteer commitments can offer comparable benefits to paid jobs or internships. It demonstrates dedication, builds valuable skills, and may lead to scholarships for students with significant community contributions.Added Benefits of Volunteering:
Some organizations hire individuals who have previously volunteered with them, as it shows relevant experience and familiarity with their work environment.
Pre-Planning for Success To make the most out of your gap year, take the time to weigh all your options and consider the following:
Finances: Plan for expenses related to tuition, travel, accommodation, and daily needs. Budgeting is key to ensuring you can afford your chosen activities without unnecessary stress.College Requirements: Research college eligibility criteria for the programs you’re interested in. Ensure you meet prerequisites and deadlines for admissions or scholarship applications.Combination of Activities: If you want to mix travel, work, and study, map out how these activities will fit into your year and their costs.A well-prepared gap year will not only help you grow but also ensure you’re ready for the next steps in your academic and professional journey.
A Student's Perspective on Taking a Gap Year "I took two gap years after high school because, during high school, I had no idea what career I wanted to pursue. Initially, I thought I wanted to study veterinary medicine because I loved animals, but my desire for the career wasn't strong enough to make me look into it further. So, I was stuck, knowing I definitely wanted to do something medicine or healthcare-related. My parents had always pushed me toward medicine, as most Asian parents do, but it never appealed to me until I started volunteering at a hospital during my gap year. That's when I confidently decided that I wanted to pursue medicine for myself, and I became so driven that I started to plan each step I needed to take towards a medical career. I then decided to take another gap year to prepare for medical school admissions. I took SAT exams, visited medical colleges, and improved my high school scores by taking upgrading classes. All these experiences helped my application for premedical programs stand out and prepared me for interviews. Now, I’m a third-year medical student, and I don’t regret taking a gap year at all. Just because I took a different path and took a bit more time, it doesn’t matter as long as I reached my goal."
Final Takeaway: A gap year can be an invaluable time of exploration, growth, and preparation. Whether you use it to travel, work, volunteer, or simply catch up on things you've always wanted to do, the experiences gained during this period can profoundly impact your personal and professional life. While there are some potential downsides to taking a gap year, careful planning and a proactive mindset can help you overcome them. Ultimately, a gap year isn’t just about taking a break—it’s about stepping back, reflecting on your goals, and charting a meaningful course for your future. So, don’t rush into the next phase of life without considering the benefits of this incredible opportunity to discover more about yourself and the world around you.
If you're considering a gap year, remember that support and guidance are available to make the process less overwhelming and ensure you get the most out of your time. Planning ahead, seeking advice, and staying focused on your goals can help turn your gap year into a launching pad for success.
FAQ: Your Questions About Gap Years Answered 1. How do I know if a gap year is right for me? A gap year is ideal if you feel unprepared for college, unsure about your career path, or want to gain more life experience before committing to full-time education. Consider your goals, interests, and current mental readiness for higher education to decide.
Need more guidance? DecidEd is here to help you navigate the journey ahead. Whether you're planning your gap year, preparing for college applications, or working on test prep, our experienced advisors can provide tailored advice and resources. Start your future on the right track - reach out to us today!
2. Will taking a gap year hurt my chances of getting into college? Not at all. Colleges increasingly view gap years as a valuable opportunity for students to gain maturity, focus, and experience. Just make sure you document your experiences and how they contribute to your personal growth and future aspirations.
3. What can I do during my gap year to strengthen my college application? Volunteer or intern in areas related to your intended major. Travel abroad to learn new cultures or languages. Take bridging or preparatory classes to improve your academic credentials. Work to save money for tuition while gaining professional skills. 4. How do I stay productive during my gap year? Create a structured plan with clear goals and timelines. Balance your time between personal exploration and activities that align with your long-term goals, such as working, volunteering, or studying.
5. How do I finance a gap year? Many gap year activities like volunteering, internships, and language exchanges can be budget-friendly. You can also work part-time or apply for scholarships specific to gap year programs.
