Whatever your plans and ideas for life after high school, there\u2019s one thing we\u2019re willing to wager a large amount of money on \u2013 you\u2019ll definitely be ready for a break!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s completely natural (and highly recommended) to take a rest period before you get stuck into your \u2018next big thing.\u2019 In fact, tonnes of high school students decide to take a gap year before diving into university or the workforce. That way, they feel refreshed and ready to go when transitioning into the next phase of their lives!<\/p>\n
However, before committing to such a long and well-deserved break, you might find yourself asking, \u2018Should I take a gap year?\u2019 After all, it is<\/em> a big decision! That\u2019s why we\u2019re dedicating this whole article to dissecting the idea of taking a gap year: to help you decide if a gap year is a good idea for you!<\/p>\n For those who haven\u2019t heard the term before, a gap year is a period of experiential learning that\u2019s usually taken between high school graduation and starting higher education. Essentially, gap years give you a much-needed break from academics and help you learn more about yourself before deciding what kind of education and career pathways you want to pursue.<\/p>\n Although referred to as a \u2018year,\u2019 a gap year doesn\u2019t have to be a full twelve-month period. It could be less, or it could be more \u2013 it\u2019ll come down to what you end up doing with your time.<\/p>\n When you begin to hear people discussing their gap year plans, you\u2019ll notice that travel is a very<\/em> popular option for those putting off higher education and work. Most teens have had their schedules dominated by classes, tests, exams, homework, and assignments; a gap year spent travelling is your chance to put all that to one side and experience a little more freedom for a change!<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s important to note that travel-based gap years don\u2019t all look the same. Those looking for travelling gap year ideas could spend their time:<\/p>\n And if spending all that time abroad doesn\u2019t pique your interest, worry not! There are tonnes of other options for those wanting to take a gap year without leaving the comfort of their hometown. Instead of jumping on a plane, you could try these gap year ideas:<\/p>\n There are no rules when it comes to your gap year. It\u2019s your chance to decide how you want to spend your time and get to know yourself a little better before jumping into a career!<\/p>\n Aside from being a great opportunity to figure out what you really want from life, a gap year offers tonnes of other personal and professional benefits. A few of our favourites are:<\/p>\n School is great, but there are plenty of lessons that you can only learn by experiencing more of the world! A gap year can help you gain a valuable perspective on life and where you might want it to go.<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to fall into old routines and habits and forget that there\u2019s a whole world of possibilities out there! By taking a gap year, you\u2019re opening yourself up to new experiences and tonnes of opportunities for personal growth.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no better opportunity to level up your soft skills than by planning your very own gap year. Whether it\u2019s through volunteering your time or travelling, you\u2019ll be developing a broad range of excellent life skills that will help you in the future (both in and outside of work)!<\/p>\n If you dedicate your gap year to volunteering, working, or interning, you\u2019ll be working with plenty of new people from all walks of life! This presents a valuable opportunity to learn about others and develop your awareness of other cultures and communities.<\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing like getting out there and living life on your own terms to help boost your confidence. Sure, you\u2019ll probably make a few mistakes along the way, but that\u2019s all part of the learning process! Embrace your gap year as an opportunity for trial and error.<\/p>\n We know, this all sounds a little too good to be true, but there really is no catch, we promise! However, just in case you have any doubts or burning questions that we\u2019ve left unanswered, we\u2019ve also put together a list of frequently asked questions all about gap years!<\/p>\n Question:<\/strong> If I take a gap year, will I lose my university offer? Question:<\/strong> Will employers penalise me for having a gap on my resume? Question:<\/strong> Is taking a gap year worth it? Question:<\/strong> How to explain a gap year in an interview? Question:<\/strong> Does a gap year affect your ability to apply for university? Question:<\/strong> Can you get financial aid after a gap year?What Is a Gap Year?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What to Do in a Gap Year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
5 Benefits of Doing a Gap Year<\/strong><\/h2>\n
#1 Gain Some Perspective<\/strong><\/h4>\n
#2 Get Out of Your Comfort Zone<\/strong><\/h4>\n
#3 Improve Your Planning and Organisation Skills<\/strong><\/h4>\n
#4 Help Others and Develop Cultural Awareness<\/strong><\/h4>\n
#5 Boost Your Confidence<\/strong><\/h4>\n
FAQ: All About Gap Years<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nAnswer:<\/strong> No \u2013 most universities will allow you to defer your university offer for up to three semesters. However, every university is different, so you\u2019ll need to ask in order to make sure.<\/p>\n
\nAnswer:<\/strong> It all depends on how you spend your time. If you\u2019ve been sitting around home playing games, it\u2019ll be a hard sell. However, if you spent your gap year travelling, volunteering, or working, you\u2019ll have gained lots of valuable soft and hard skills!<\/p>\n
\nAnswer:<\/strong> That is entirely dependent on what you want to get out of it! There are a lot of benefits, but it can also mean putting your career plan on hold. We recommend doing some research and speaking to others who have taken a gap year to help you learn all about the pros and cons.<\/p>\n
\nAnswer:<\/strong> There\u2019s no reason to overthink it. Be honest and share all of your positive experiences and the things you learned while taking some time off. Chances are that your future employer will appreciate the hard and soft skills you learned during your gap year!<\/p>\n
\nAnswer:<\/strong> In short, not at all! If you decide to commit to a degree after your gap year, all you need to do is fill out the forms like anyone else. However, you\u2019ll need all of your academic info from high school, so make sure you don\u2019t lose it!<\/p>\n
\nAnswer:<\/strong> Great news! Your eligibility for financial aid won\u2019t be affected by whether or not you decide to take a gap year. That means you can take a year off without worrying about supporting yourself when or if you return to studying.<\/p>\nSpend Your Gap Year With DESI!<\/strong><\/h2>\n