If you’re heading toward college soon or transitioning into a new chapter of your life, you might be considering a gap year. However, it’s often vague as to what a gap year really is, what it looks like, and what the potential effects might be. In this article, I’ll review everything you need to know about taking a gap year so that you can weigh your decision better.
What is a gap year?
A gap year is a period that someone takes between academic programs, usually between high school and college. During this time (it doesn’t have to be a year, but it usually is), you take some time off from school and do other activities that will help bring you closer to your objectives.
The Gap Year Association gives this definition:
An intentional period of time devoted to personal growth and exploration through experiential learning opportunities.
Experiential learning opportunities are essentially activities in which you get meaningful, real world experience in something that you might not get in a classroom. You should be growing, learning, and reflecting as you do this activity (or activities). Most importantly, they should get you closer to your goals.
What are some common gap year activities?
As aforementioned, a gap year should be catered to you. Before embarking on a path that someone else has taken, consider what will be the most meaningful for you. Here are some common activities:
Going Abroad
Going abroad for a gap year can look different for everyone. You could be traveling and learning more about different cultures. You could do some sort of study abroad program that is not through your university. Maybe you want to immerse yourself in a language and learn something new! Or, if you love kids and want to get close with a host family, you could do an exchange or au pair in a different country.
The important thing is that this international experience has meaning for you. It shouldn’t just be a trip to kill some time and put off going to school.
Volunteering
Maybe part of why you want to do a gap year is so that you can figure out what you really want in life (and in college!). There’s no better way to do this than through volunteering. Yes, it might not making money, but it will be wonderful spiritually, emotionally, and on a resume. Plus, you might end up making connections that will help you later down the line.
To make the most of this, try finding a volunteering opportunity in an area of interest. Again, make it meaningful! And don’t rule out volunteering abroad–that could tie in well with some other experiences and objectives for a gap year.
Internships
Internships are fantastic. Not only can you potentially earn some money, but you can also explore a field, get relevant work experience, make connections, and learn about the world. While you can still do an internship during high school or college, it is an amazing opportunity to do it during a gap year because you have even more flexibility.
As with volunteering, there are sometimes opportunities to do this abroad as well, so be sure to research your options!
Teaching
As a heads up, this won’t be your typical teaching in a classroom most of the time. That kind of teaching requires a certification or credential in many places. However, that doesn’t prevent you from being a classroom aide, teaching assistant, preschool teacher, tutor, or something else in the field.
If you get your TEFL certification, you can also teach English abroad and make some money!
Additionally, if you’re considering going into a teaching credential program, it often requires some classroom experience. This could be a great way to test the waters before committing to a degree or credential in the field.
Coaching and instructing also fall into this category, so you can be creative!
Earning a Certification/Outside Schooling
As aforementioned, earning a TEFL is a great way to open the doors to teaching English abroad. I’ve linked the site where I did my TEFL program. Similarly, you can take online courses to explore interests and gain skills or accreditations. These are available through platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, Master Class, and more.
Additionally, you can search specific organizations that provide certificates for a skill you want to master. Do you want to do something in a medical field? Landscaping? Air conditioning repair? Search those schools and figure out how to make it happen.
Finally, you can take a few classes at a community college to explore your interests and get some transferrable credit. It’s more low-commitment, but it could pay off in the long run–and save you money.
Working
You can always find a job–preferably in a field that interests you–to earn some money, meet people, and gain experience. This will help a lot if you want to save up for your college experience. It can also ensure that you figure out some things that you do and don’t like before you jump into a four year program.
Starting a Business or Personal Project
Finally, we have the opportunity to start a business or dedicate all of your time to a personal project. Are you entrepreneurial? Maybe you’ve been wanting to boost your Etsy or Instagram shop, or you really want to launch a T-shirt business. Or, on the other hand, maybe you’ve been looking to write your novel, perform your research project, or produce music.
A gap year can be a great opportunity for this. However, you just need to be sure that you have the financial resources and a backup plan in case things don’t go the way that you plan.
For more gap year ideas, check out this article.
What are some benefits of a gap year?
Now that we’ve gone over some ideas of what your gap year can look like, let’s look at some benefits it can bring you.
Learning more about yourself
By pressing pause on trying to do everything at once, you’re able to focus more on yourself, your growth, and what you want to do with your life. This can not only help you to become more emotionally mature and have greater self-awareness, but it can also boost your confidence, reduce shyness, and allow you to feel more at peace with your decisions. If you’re struggling to figure out what to do next, this might be a great option.
Resume help
When you’re a full time college student, it can be difficult to get a ton of meaningful work experience. Focusing solely on work or another experiential activity can help you to get some great resume points. This can help you to get ahead of your peers, especially if you do an internship or something in your field! Additionally, if you study abroad, you can use this article to help you transfer it to your resume.
Explore options (with less pressure)
By giving yourself a year to explore your options, try new things, and clarify what you want, you’ll mitigate the risk of losing time academically. Through doing internships, research, work, and volunteering, you’ll have a better idea of what you want, and you can go into your degree program more confidently.
Recover from burnout
Burnout is real, and it’s awful. Especially for those of us who are high achievers and try to take on everything at once, a break is sometimes necessary. This allows you to recuperate and get in touch with what you want and need. Once you return, you will be able to approach your academics with a new sense of purpose and energy instead of dragging through the days and increasing the burnout.
Gain meaningful skills
Have you always wanted to learn a language? Master Python? Dive into real estate? A gap year is the perfect opportunity to gain these skills and apply them to your later career.
Personal development
You grow a lot during your college years, and a gap year can increase this. By learning about yourself, stepping into the real world, and overcoming challenges, you will gain not only soft skills, but also self-knowledge that will help you in the long run.
Make some money
It can be hard to juggle everything in college. A gap year can allow for you to make and save some money, whether that’s working in a less expensive country, living at home, or starting your own business.
What are some drawbacks?
All of this sounds great. However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider before jumping into a gap year, which I discuss below.
FOMO
It can be hard to watch your friends go in one direction when you’re heading in another. You have to be prepared to feel like the outsider when you hear all of their college stories and see their pictures. Yes, it’s coming, but it can be hard to feel “behind” if you are the only one doing this.
Money
A gap year, as you can probably tell, requires some money and resources. It’s not always easy to go abroad, start a business, or earn a certification. You need to be sure that this is a financially savvy decision for you and that you can afford it. If you’re not sure, consider talking to your parents or other influential figures in your life about things like budgeting and financial aid.
Loss of Momentum
According to this article, most students find gap years useful, not harmful. However, it can be hard to jump back into schoolwork and find a structured routine again, depending on what you plan to do. If you fall in love with one of your experiential activities, it can also be difficult to “take a step backward” by returning to school. Consider whether or not you think a gap year would allow you to recharge or if it would make you fall behind.
Isolation
As I touched on before, you’ll be away from your friends, and this could be hard. Traveling solo is great, but it can be incredibly lonely. The same applies for working when your friends are studying or throwing everything you have into a business. Consider the emotional and social repercussions before you make the jump.
What can you do to make your gap year as productive as possible?
First things first: go in with a plan. A gap year is not just a year to relax, do nothing, and watch others struggle through the challenges of early adulthood. It should be an intentional time where you are dedicating the energy to improve yourself.
So, before you jump into the gap year bandwagon, sit and consider the benefits and consequences clearly. Plan out what you want to do, and make a backup plan in case it doesn’t go through. Whatever you do, be sure that you are being thoughtful about your own time and weighing the options.
Make sure there’s structure
With all that I just said, be sure that you incorporate structure into your plan. It can be easy to slide off the rails if you don’t have a structured plan. Ideas are fantastic, but they require discipline to execute. Even if you’re not doing a program that lays things out for you, be sure to make yourself a daily schedule and stick to it.
Use your support net
A gap year will be different from what you’ve done before. You don’t want to fall into isolation or a FOMO pit. To avoid this, make sure that you utilize your support net. Keep yourself connected to those close to you, even if you’re far away.
Additionally, be sure to use your connections! Networking isn’t easy, but it helps to use those connections to strengthen your plans and have support.
Be open to new experiences
A gap year is about growing and finding yourself. Remain open to these new experiences. Consider yourself as a sponge–absorb all of that new, great information. Then, reflect on it and bring it into your new adventures.
Keep a record of your gap year
Write things down. Reflecting is great for emotions and for record keeping. When you go to update a master resume, write a cover letter, apply to a different program, you can then copy from your records, and it will be fresher in your mind. Besides, it will be fun to look back on one day.
A Final Word
Deciding whether to take a gap year or not is a tough decision. There are many benefits and drawbacks to taking one. Ultimately, the choice rests with you, and it should be well thought-out. Use this information to help you inform your choice. Do you have any gap year experience? I’d love to hear it!
Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash
