Important Things to Consider Before Taking a Gap Year: Millions of seniors in high school compete each year for coveted slots at the most esteemed universities. At high schools around the country, sticking with it through the rough and tumble has become the standard. Some students have become robot-like machines due to pressure to compete in the college admissions game.
They burn out on overly structured schedules of extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and homework while taking excessive amounts of AP, SAT, ACT, and subject exams during their high school careers.
Some students feel exhausted by what has become the typical high school experience and yearn for a method to rekindle their enthusiasm for learning. Gap year programs have emerged as one option for students who feel they need a vacation from the grind of rigorous coursework that is making them feel like zombies preparing for college.
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3 Important Things to Consider Before Taking a Gap Year
So what should you think about before deciding to take a gap year?
What is a gap year?
After graduating from high school, some students choose to take a gap year rather than launching themselves headfirst into another scholastic endeavor.
Some people find that the freedom to pursue their hobbies and interests through volunteer work, travel, or employment provides a much-needed respite from the pressures of meeting college admission requirements.
Parents, high school guidance counselors, and college admissions professionals may even advise teenagers to deactivate their academic autopilot and devote some time to pursuing other interests. It’s crucial to assess your goals if you’re thinking of taking a gap year.
A gap year is not the time to lounge about the house, play video games, and put off your future, despite the fact that it could appear like a simple way out. It’s also not about tanning on Spanish beaches or sipping cappuccinos in Italian cafes, though those activities could be a part of your overall experience.
Gap year programs are popular with students who want a more experiential education than what regular high schools offer. A gap year is a popular option for students who want to step outside of their comfort zone, gain more experience in the real world, sharpen their language skills, and experience a different culture.
A terrific adventure that may broaden your perspective and help you get a true understanding of various people, nations, governments, and lifestyles is to spend time overseas or in unfamiliar surroundings.
What are my options?
There are countless options for taking a gap year. You might wish to think about the following: adventure travel, outdoor and wilderness activities, teaching, volunteering, language immersion, environmental causes or conservation, the arts, social causes, or a combination of some of these.
You can choose to work with an established organization or create your own gap year. If you choose to work with a well-known organization, make an effort to connect with past program participants. If you are volunteering, be sure you understand exactly what your responsibilities will be, who you will be working with, and what is expected of you.
Find out what an average day entails. Try to find out what is expected of you and whether or not you should prepare before your gap year if you are teaching or studying.
Another option is to consult with a gap-year advisor, who will assist you in selecting the plan or program that best suits your needs.
How am I going to pay for my gap year?
It’s important to plan ahead for how you will pay for your gap year. Numerous fees and charges may apply, such as travel and lodging, visa requirements, and insurance. A gap year might be as cheap as zero or as costly as a full year of college. Do you need to start your own fundraising effort, or do you have savings?
One more thing you might learn from this process is how to start a fundraising campaign, which is something that would look great on your resume. A small number of gap year programs provide financial compensation or other benefits in exchange for labor.
While traveling, taking on odd jobs can help cover some of the costs and provide an opportunity to interact with locals and perfect your language skills.
Conclusion
A gap year may provide you the chance to reapply, retake admissions examinations, and reevaluate your college list while adding another extremely intriguing experience to your resume if you were not pleased with the outcomes of your college applications. You can become more focused by giving yourself additional life experiences and by identifying your hobbies and interests.
After taking a gap year, a lot of students come back to school knowing more clearly what they want to study and do during their undergraduate careers.
