Should I take a gap year before I start college?

Nowadays, many students think about taking a year off between high school and college to travel, explore new things, or make some money. But how would having a gap year impact your future if going to college is a part of your plan? Will a break from school help or harm your education?

A vast majority of the people believe that taking a gap year is a great way to learn new things and step outside your comfort zone. A gap year will teach you things that you won’t learn in school. Additionally, a gap year puts you into entirely new situations, allowing you to learn as you go. Furthermore, a gap year is also an opportunity to develop your self-confidence while learning more about who you are and what motivates and inspires you.

However, you might feel as though your studies are “pausing” for a year. Having said that, many students don’t find this to be a problem. It is because the activities you engage in during your gap year can quickly make up for the seeming “time lost” because you are still learning, developing, and pursuing your objectives, just in new and interesting ways.

Moreover, traveling and taking in life experiences during a gap year can be expensive. Likewise, returning to school might be more challenging. For instance, if you are a student who just finished school, your mindset would still be in the “school” mode of life. It can be challenging to get back into the routine after taking a year off. As you take that year off, your study habits and learning skills might become weaker. This is something to take into account if studying is not your main interest.

Nevertheless, taking a year off can help you learn new life skills. You will learn new life skills as you experience new things in life. Furthermore, you will learn how to manage your time, keep a home or apartment clean, and cook during your gap year. You will find college far less intimidating if you have these life skills mastered before you leave for school. These kinds of experiences are worthwhile and beneficial in a different way from those learned in a classroom.

In light of these benefits and potential drawbacks, should you take a gap year? The answer to this question is highly personal. Parents must understand that a gap year is a valid option for student growth and does not mean the student is stepping away from college completely. If I were you, and if you have particular life experiences you wish to have before beginning your career, I suggest you should take a gap year. However, you should not take a gap year if you don’t have a plan. By doing this, you’ll waste the academic year that you could have spent in school. It is a wise decision to avoid taking a gap year if you are thinking about quitting school completely because it can jeopardise your goals