Every year, many seniors are shipped off to college without considering that a gap year might be for them. So many young people are never given a chance to live out their youth, not in school, and are pressured to know exactly what they want to do as soon as they turn eighteen. Many don’t realize the major benefits of taking a year off school, and how it can allow you to get to know yourself better outside of school, and help you figure out what you want out of your life.
Gap years provide people with time to figure out what they want to do, and give them time to travel, work, or live in a new place. Travel, especially, is a great way to learn about cultures and develop a well-rounded worldview. Additionally, it teaches young people fresh out of high school how to save, plan, and make quick decisions. Besides teaching responsibility, you are also taught how to live more freely and to see different perspectives from around the world. You could learn a new language, make new friends, and try new foods and experiences.
Many fear losing academic momentum by not immediately attending college after graduating, but chances are you shouldn’t have much of a problem. According to The Gap Year Association, 90 percent of students who took a gap year returned to college within a year, Taking a year off will also give you more time to really decide if you want to go to or not; you can decide if college will align with what you want out of your career, both financially and emotionally. Taking a year off might allow you to take up a trade or an art, which won’t put you in thousands of dollars of debt. You also have time to save for school after your year off, and if you’re living with your parents and working for a year, you can rack up a decent amount of savings.
Taking a gap year could also be a good thing to put on your college applications. If you did something meaningful during your year off it could really boost your application and make you appear to be a more well-rounded person to attend their school. It shows that you are capable and responsible and are able to stay committed to your goals. By taking a year to decide where you want to go it confirms that you are committed to the school you’re attending, and reduces the risk of burnout.
The idea of a gap year is not often advertised and encouraged to young people, but despite the lack of popularity, it’s a precious time that encourages independence, self-reliance and growth.
