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Aug 25, 2022 · Many students take a gap year before college to travel, work, or focus on their passions. You can organize your own gap year or apply for gap year programs. Cons of taking a gap year include high expenses for things like traveling. Pros include being able to craft a strong resume and take a break from school.
Jan 1, 2024 · Going back to school requires you to take a big-picture look at your education and gap year. Students taking time off from school should ensure that gap year experiences like employment, travel or ...
- Matt Whittle
- Overview
- What is a gap year?
- Pros of taking a gap year
- Potential cons of taking a gap year
- Tips for planning a gap year
Video: How to Explain Career Gaps In an Interview AND On Your ResumeIn this step-by-step tutorial, Sinéad helps you explain career gaps in an interview and offers great ways to tackle interview questions like this.
Some high school graduates decide to take a “gap year” before starting or finishing college to take a break from studies, travel, work or volunteer. The year can pose several benefits, but there are also cons to consider. If you're considering taking a gap year, it's important to understand how it can affect you and your future plans. In this article, we explain what a gap year is, list the pros and cons of taking a gap year before college and offer tips for planning one.
A gap year refers to a year-long planned break where you can explore your personal and professional development through various activities. Most people associate gap years with a break before college, but it also can be a sabbatical during college. While some may choose to volunteer, others get a part-time job or travel. Typically, gap years last a...
Improve college performance
Taking a year off before college can help you take your future education more easily. Having the time to reflect allows you to perform better and fully appreciate your education when you return. You can also use the break to strengthen your skills so you feel more prepared for advanced studies when you return to college.
Consider your interests
When you take a gap year or semesters off, especially during your college studies, you have more time to consider what field of study you want to pursue. Some students don't find their passion until after they've paid for their education. When this happens, they may not enter the workforce in a job they're truly interested in or they may return to school for a new degree that better aligns with their interests, which requires paying more for their education overall. Spending time figuring out your interests during your gap year after high school or during college can help you make a more informed, strategic decision about your future.Related: Should You Take a Gap Year After College: 5 Programs To Consider
Travel
Taking a gap year gives you the opportunity to travel. Whether you volunteer or work abroad, traveling lets you live in another country and experience different cultures. You also get to learn new languages, meet new people, try new foods and understand how different parts of the world operate. Having this kind of experience can even help you with future job interviews. Employers may value candidates with multicultural experience or multilingual skills. Also, traveling may influence you to choose a more humanitarian or rewarding career.Related: 100 Inspiring Gap Year Ideas for Teens and Young Adults
Lose momentum
When you take a gap year, it can affect your academic momentum. While taking a gap year after high school or during college helps prevent burnout, it also means you may re-familiarize yourself with taking tests, studying and writing papers again. It can be helpful to continue to use the skills you learned in high school to make the transition back to school easier once you return.
Finish college later
Taking a gap year means you're likely to finish college at least a year later than if you went to college right after high school. This can delay the pursuit of your career and salary. While you're still in school, consider pursuing internship opportunities and building your professional network so you're prepared to start your career after you graduate.Related: Guide to Writing a Recent Graduate Cover Letter
Cost you more
Whether you decide to travel abroad or volunteer without a steady income, gap years tend to cost a lot of money. You can consider potential flights, housing accommodations, program fees and food. Make sure you have enough money to properly finance a gap year. It can be helpful to establish a budget before you take a break so you can pursue your aspirations while still considering the costs of your education that you may need once your gap year is over.Related: How To Make a Budget Plan in 6 Steps
If you decide a gap year is for you, here are some tips to consider:
•Get advice. Apart from researching your gap year options, get input from people who've taken a gap year in the past. Ask plenty of questions and get advice you can use when planning for your own gap year.
•Start budgeting. If you already know you want to take a gap year or you already know your focus, create a budget to help you prepare financially. Save money where you can, but plan your expenses in a way that allows you to make the most of your trip, too.
•Build your network. During your gap year, spend time growing your network to help with your future career. For example, if you do an internship or get a part-time job, make sure you have good professional relationships with everyone you meet since you can potentially use them as a reference or have them lead you to worthwhile career opportunities in the future.
Video: Interview Question: Could You Explain This Career Gap?Sinéad showcases a powerful way for answering the question: “Could You Explain This Career Gap?”
A gap year is more than taking time off to work, pay for school or take an extended vacation. The Gap Year Association defines a gap year as: "A semester or year of experiential learning ...
Dec 24, 2021 · On a final note, financial concerns about gap years extend beyond gap year activities: taking a year off also means entering the workforce (at the very least) a year later. Here’s the good news, though: a gap year does offer students the opportunity to earn some money before college.
5 days ago · A gap year should complement your broader aspirations. If you’re considering a gap year, consider how it will help you academically, personally, or professionally. Example: Sarah used her gap year to intern at a hospital, strengthening her application to medical school. 3. Seek Advice from Mentors and Experts
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Reactions to the year off Students taking a year off prior to Harvard are doing what students from the U.K. do with their so-called “gap year.” Other countries have mandatory military service for varying periods of time. Regardless of why they took the year off or what they did, students are effusive in their praise.
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