Need a Break? Take a Gap Year!

MICHELLE PAULINO
Opinions Editor

Graduating high school is daunting. Most students feel a combination of anxiety and excitement as the end of everything they have ever known. The unknown of the future and the insecurities of possibly leaving their comfort zones beckon. With so many students furthering their education immediately upon the completion of high school, the pressure to know exactly what they want to do with their lives is on. Of course, some choose to pursue other options such as serving in the military or working without a college degree. A recently growing debatable alternative to attending college right after graduating high school is taking a gap year.
Most commonly practiced in England and other parts of Europe, the gap year is a period of time in which a student decides to take a year off between high school and college. Typically, within the year, young adults have the opportunity to do whatever they feel would be enriching for their future. With focus and determination, students are able to discover their passions prior to enrolling in college, therefore saving time and money by investing in what they find fulfilling, as opposed to enrolling in various courses only to discover that the desire to continue within the subject is absent.
Not everyone knows exactly what major they are going to pursue or what occupation they wish to work up to. Those who take a gap year are able to learn more about their interests either by immersing themselves in internships or by deciding to work or communicate with companies pertaining to their passions. It is common for undergraduates to frequently change majors; some realize inconveniently late in their college career that they do not really like what they thought they loved. Working part-time jobs allows for experience to be gained in the respective medium, relationships to be built with potential business partners and allows for a small income. The hard-earned money can be invested in future educational pursuits and cultivates an appreciation for the value of working.
Another popular activity people participate in within a gap year is travel by volunteering abroad, exploring their interests or simply engrossing themselves in a different culture. Living and working abroad can be both delightful and beneficial because the experience gained also looks great on a resume. Travel options are not limited to the wealthy either; there are certain programs such as World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, which feeds and houses students in exchange for several hours of work on farms that are located worldwide. By choosing to participate in this sort of exchange program, relationships gained with hosts can make traveling decisions in the future both easy and affordable. Volunteering in developing countries is also a popular option which rewards participants with an enriched understanding of the world and an enlightened morale. When the year of gained experience and itch is scratched, the student can either return to attend college with a clear and motivated mindset or realize college is not for them.
Choosing to not take a gap year can also be enriching and efficient, regardless of missed experiences. Many universities also offer study abroad programs typically available to students in their sophomore year. Choosing a major does not necessarily define which field a person chooses to pursue for the rest of their life. Colleges are very accepting of most students’ exploration through majors. The first two years are allotted for general education courses, so in actuality, beginning college students have two years to develop a strong interest in the subject of interest they would like to obtain a degree in. Of course, following the traditional college course ensures timely graduation; given class availability is not problematic.
However, self-discipline is crucial for the student choosing to take a gap year. The year off does not entitle one to vegetate their life away on a couch all day. Most students secure an enrollment deposit upon acceptance and can ask for a deferral to guarantee a spot in a college as soon as their gap year is over. Many colleges approve the gap year with proof of a concrete plan detailing their gap year actions to make sure the student is not wasting time lazily vegetating their life away. Unfortunately, those who lack the discipline use the free time recklessly by remaining dependent upon their parents or getting too accustomed to the time off, resulting in the discontinuation of school; sadly, many fall victim to the trap. A gap year with a lack of ambition is a deadly combination; the desire to further education should remain the number one priority.
Who can deny that 13 years of traditional schooling are physically and emotionally draining? Taking a gap year breaks the monotonous structure of attending school yet another year and serves as a form of creative liberation from the repetition of the classroom. As long as an individual is focused and disciplined, a gap year can be a life-changing experience.