Thinking about taking a Gap Year? Reseach options!
Taking a gap year is a big decision and should be made carefully. In general, taking a gap year as a last resort can be stressful for families, as students may not have enough time to properly plan their gap year. If you are considering a gap year, this section will help you decide by clarifying the pros and cons of taking a gap year. Pros: You enter college refreshed and refocused The clarity you gain from your college prep gap year can positively impact your academic performance.
Here are some pros and cons if you are considering taking it:
✔ Pro: You'll Enter College Feeling Refreshed and Refocused
Research shows that those who take a gap year are more likely to graduate in four years or less than the national average of six years. The time you take to think about and familiarize yourself with possible pathways can also help you make more informed decisions when choosing a major. .
✘ Con: You Might Waste Too Much Time
An unstructured gap year can open the door to wasting time and losing academic momentum. While gap year programs can provide structure and motivation, if you plan to explore on your own for part or all of your gap year, make sure to clearly lay out goals you can accomplish.
If necessary, inform trusted people of your plans so they can hold you accountable.
Worst-case scenario for a gap year? You stall your academic momentum to play video games, watch TV, and lounge around the house.
✔ Pro: You'll Build Important Skills
You can use your gap year to develop any number of key life skills. This could mean learning a language while living in another country, honing communication and leadership skills while working on a service project, or gaining hands-on experience through a job or internship.
✘ Con: Gap Years Can Get Pricey
College can be incredibly expensive, and a gap year may appeal to students who fear poorly spending their time in college until they've figured out a clear direction for themselves.
On the other hand, gap year programs and traveling abroad are also typically expensive endeavors. Make sure you understand the potential cost of your trip or program, as well as any hidden expenses.
✔ Pro: You Can Broaden Your Horizons
Traveling and living abroad for your gap year can be a transformative experience. Immersing yourself in a new culture, learning a language, and seeing the world from a different perspective can help you discover your passions and purpose.
✘ Con: You May Feel Isolated or Like You're Falling Behind
Watching friends leave for college and go through similar experiences at the same time can increase FOMO. Likewise, knowing you'll be going through these experiences a year after your peers might make you feel as though you're falling behind.
While these feelings are understandable, remember that entering college one year late won't ultimately harm your professional trajectory. You'll get to experience college all the same when you eventually start school again.
✔ Pro: It Can Attract Employers
A productive gap year is a great time to engage in resume-building activities. Learning a skill, gaining work experience in your field, studying a language, or spending months learning about a specific topic or country can all help your resume stand out.
A year spent volunteering or interning can also build skills that will impress potential employers.
✘ Con: It May Be Harder to Transition Back to School
Spending your gap year idle or withdrawn from academic engagement could make your transition back to school tricky.
The best way to avoid this problem is to keep yourself engaged and challenged by material you find interesting. One aim during your gap year should be to acquire a skill or learn about yourself, an academic field, or other subject that interests you.
A gap year isn't for everyone. Though popular, gap year programs and international travel can cost a pretty penny. It's worth considering how a gap year could affect your finances before you decide whether to take one.
Ultimately, it's up to you to determine whether a gap year is the best course of action for you and your goals.