A gap year is a time that students take a break from their studies (generally after completing high school and before pursuing further studies). During a gap year, many students partake in activities such as traveling, volunteering, working, and taking courses. A gap year (contrary to its name) can last anywhere between a few months and a few years.
Activities you choose to do in a gap year will depend on your goals and interests. Some students use this time to engage in courses that will increase their skills and knowledge (such as Mathematics or Languages), while others may learn trade, engage in sport, pursue art, and even get a job.
What should I do during my gap year?
During a gap year, many also engage in volunteer work, allowing them to dedicate time to give back to their community whilst gaining experience. Some of the most popular activities to partake in during a gap year include:
- Find a local job and save some money
- Complete an online course in a field of study you are interested in
- Do non-profit (volunteer) work within your community
- Learn a new language online
A gap year can be advantageous, however, this choice may not be for everyone. Below, you will find some pros and cons to taking a gap year – they should help you decide if a gap year is right for you.
Advantages of taking a gap year
1) When you return, you will start your tertiary education refreshed and focused: taking a gap year gives you clarity and has a positive impact on your academic performance. Studies have shown that students who take a gap year generally graduate tertiary studies within 4 years (that is in comparison to the average of 6 years). Students who take a gap year have time to reflect and learn key skills, and are more likely to select a field of study that is a good fit for them.
2) You will gain key skills: taking a gap year will allow you to learn valuable life skills, such as a foreign language, leadership skills, communication skills, or hands-on experience through an internship or job.
3) You can expand your horizons: A gap year will grant you the opportunity to travel and immerse yourself in a new culture. Through this, you can learn a new language, and see the world from a new perspective, allowing you to learn more about yourself and your purpose.
4) You may attract employers: during your gap year, you will be able to gain many skills that are attractive to employers (which you may not have learned if you were at university). Volunteer work and interning will also look very attractive on your CV.
Disadvantages of taking a gap year
1) You can find yourself wasting time: If you don’t plan your gap year effectively, it could lead to you wasting time and losing your academic momentum. If you take a gap year, ensure that you set clear goals, stay motivated, and make an effort to explore your academic skill set.
2) Gap years can be pricey: tertiary studies can be expensive, therefore, people may opt to take a gap year so that they can figure out what they want to study before making a big financial commitment. However, gap year programmes can be just as expensive, as traveling abroad and engaging in various activities can prove to be costly. Be sure to research your costs and budget for a trip programme, as well as any hidden costs it may have.
3) You might compare yourself to others: When seeing your friends go to college or engage in similar experiences, you may find yourself feeling like you are falling behind. These feelings are completely normal! Therefore, it is important to remember that if you do enter tertiary studies at a later stage, it won’t necessarily harm your professional career. You will still get your tertiary experience, no matter the timeline.
3) You may find it more difficult to get back into studying: after spending a period of time away from studying, you may find it difficult to transition back to schooling. Gap year students should remain engaged in study material they find interesting, as well as practicing learning a new skill or topic of interest to them.
Should you take a Gap year?
A Gap year isn’t necessarily for everyone, and although they are popular, international travel programmes can be costly. Therefore, it’s important that before you make a decision you consider how it would affect your budget.
Be sure to also plan what you want to do in your Gap year and enter it with a key understanding of what you want to gain and learn. Be sure to know your goals and set out to achieve them (as when you enter studies, you may not have the time to do them.)
It’s important to spend some time at the beginning of your Gap year to rest, however, be careful not to fall into the trap of becoming unfocused and aimless.
Ultimately, it’s your decision to take a Gap year. It’s your opportunity to decide your trajectory and what course of action will be the best for your future goals.
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