Gap year: The Pros and Cons of Taking It
It is common for a recent college graduate not to be asked about his decision to not enroll immediately in a graduate program. Students who have just graduated from high school wish they had the same freedom of choice. There is an expectation and a quasi-obligation for recent high school graduates to immediately enroll in an undergraduate program. But what if these young students want to take a gap year before starting their bachelor's degree? Why should they consider it?
Many students choose to take a gap year to further their extracurricular passions or interests, which they were unable to fully dedicate due to lack of time during their school years. Other students simply want to take time to explore the world of work and earn their own income. A gap year is not just for students with money, many students decide to take this time to work and save for college.
Pros:
You know yourself better. By having more time for yourself, you can do as we mentioned above what you are passionate about and never had time to do because you were too busy studying.
You have more time to organize. Requirements, paperwork and procedures that you have to do if you are going to enter university or graduate, now they will have more time to organize them.
You have less stress. Your free time does not have to be only to organize yourself for what is coming, but it is also to relax, enjoy series, movies, go out, have fun, and reduce the stress that you have accumulated.
Cons:
Time off can also mean wasted time. Some students prefer to avoid taking a gap year at all costs because this implies that graduating would take longer.
Every university will ask you to justify that period. If you asked for a sabbatical in the middle of semesters/trimesters, and you do not have something tangible that you did, the universities may think that you lost the rhythm of study, you did not take advantage of the time, or that you can start, and you will be disconnected because you go back to class and maybe your classmates are younger, you can feel intimidated.
A good example is a medical student, she had to take a sabbatical due to the pandemic, but at that time, I take advantage of it to volunteer and help in the administration of the vaccine against the virus.
However, if you are going to take that period simply to rest, but not make a plan, what can happen is that universities do not always see positively.
That is why it is very important that you think about it very well, if you need it or if you think it is a waste of time.
Whatever your decision, we are here to help you when you decide to start your studies, either immediately after graduation or after a sabbatical. Do you want to know how?