The Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year

Gap years: Pros and cons

You can do a lot on a gap year - but be aware of the downsides, too.

Between school or college and university is a good time to take time off, whether it's to earn some money for your studies, get work experience, travel the world or volunteer.

But gap years aren't for everyone, and you need to think carefully about the upsides and downsides before making a decision.

Pros and cons of taking a gap year

Advantages

• The experiences you gain can make you better prepared for university, both academically and socially
• It?s probably the longest 'holiday' you will ever be able to take in your life - taking long breaks will be harder once your career starts
• You can use some or all of the time to earn money for university, taking the pressure of your finances
• You can learn new skills
• You get the chance to experience life away from home before starting university
• Volunteering gives you the opportunity to help people
• Both volunteering and working will provide valuable work experience
• If you're feeling dedicated, you can get ahead on preparations for your course
• If you didn't get the grades in one of your A-levels, you can retake it and reapply while using the rest of your time to do something else

Disadvantages

• If you want to travel or take part in an organized gap year programme, it could be expensive
• If your friends from home are all going to uni, your social life could dry up
• Unless you revise, you can forget a lot in a year that would be useful to your course
• If you don?t get organised, you may end up spending your gap doing nothing but watching TV. Not great for the CV!

The Pros and Cons of Taking a Gap Year

Will your gap year really be the trip of a lifetime?

A gap year! A few years ago this phrase was casually thrown around, but now the word's 'gap year' seem to be on every young person's lips. It seems that every time a gap year is mentioned it's met with ideas of beautiful beaches, beautiful people and a wonderful time. But what are they like in reality? Are gap year programs really all sunshine and daisies or is there a little more to them?

One surefire way to convince your mom and dad to let you take a gap year is to do your homework. This list details the pros and cons of taking a gap year to help you decide if it's really right for you.

PRO: It'll make your CV look pretty snazzy:

A gap year can provide a person with valuable new skills that any employer will be impressed by. Cultural awareness, organization, and an ability to work independently are just some of the skills that are gained by taking a year out.

CON: You'll be a year behind:

This can be a tough one for many people. They wave as their friends all trek to college and start their new lives and they are left behind. They can't start their new adventure yet because they don't have the cash. This is easily offset by working hard and saving cash quickly in order to jet off as soon as possible.

PRO: You'll meet new people:

On a gap year it's impossible not to meet new people. Throughout school and college we are surrounded by the same folks but taking a gap year allows us to discover others, make new friends, and interact with people from all walks of life.

CON: You'll be homesick:

It's something that hits most of us at some point. Whether you're missing family, friends or simply home comforts, you may find yourself wondering why you chose a life on the road. But fear not! The joy of travel is that there is always somebody to meet and something to do. Power through and you'll be glad you did.

PRO: You'll have tons of stories:

After spending a year away the stories will mount up; these can be great conversation starters in the interview room, at parties or, simply just to look back on and remember.

AWWWW YEAH!

CON: It's a risk:

Sure it is! But where do we get in life if we aren't willing to take risks? This is what makes a gap year so exciting; not knowing what to expect is all part of the adventure. The key is to take care and travel with common sense. Fun fact: I've yet to meet a gap year traveler or career breaker who "regretted" their decision to hit the road.

PRO: It's a very long holiday:

A gap year, for most people, is the longest holiday they will ever have. It is often a once in a lifetime experience and the chance to escape the daily grind.

CON: It can be expensive:

This depends on the destination and the duration of the trip but, chances are, when taking a gap year you're going to spend quite a bit of cash. The best way to fund a gap year is to work and travel at the same time. It's also a good idea to plan trips independently as this will cut costs dramatically - for the first time traveler this may be a little difficult and paying extra for the help of someone to do it for you might be a good idea.

PRO: It's a great way to learn:

A gap year will provide you with much more than any classroom setting ever can. We can learn a lot in the classroom, but it isn't until we put it into practice in the real world that we really understand what's going on. A gap year lets us learn as we do and there's much more room for new experiences to enter our lives. We will also learn a lot more about ourselves and who we are as people; sometimes an experience during a gap year can knock you a bit but you'll learn just how much you can deal with when you really have to. Whether volunteering, studying, or just traveling, you're bound to learn a ton.

CON: It can be stressful:

Booking vaccinations, getting tickets and insurance, visas and accommodation sorted; all this and the adventure hasn't even begun. It does get easier as you get used to life on the road but there will always be situations that will test your stress levels to the max. Planning independently can be tough, whether it's language barriers, currency, or trying to work out the public transport systems, so sometimes it's good to kick back, spend a little more and let someone else do the hard work. Doing formalized programs are a great way to get situated and meet likeminded folks. Just be sure read reviews first!

PRO: You'll look after yourself:

Some people might put this in the cons list; who wants to look after themselves if they can rely on Mom and Dad to help them out? But the truth is we've all got to stand on our own two feet at some point and the sooner we can learn how to do this the better. Going on a gap year can also help us get used to life on a budget, which is great preparation for college.

Learn something new about the world!

CON: There's the potential to waste a lot of time:

Many people think their trip will begin as soon as they finish school and kind of just wait for things to happen. This is not the case - as soon as the decision to have a gap year is made, the planning and saving needs to begin. If this is done then the gap year really can begin as soon as the school year is finished. However, by not planning carefully many people find weeks and months passing by before they can even step onto that first plane.

PRO: It's a break from traditional education:

Many people who enter college straight from school regret their choice of course within the first two years. Taking a break from education and going away for a while gives us the chance to really consider what the right course is. Not only this, but a gap year can provide a renewed vigor for study and a more focused approach to learning.

CON: You're no longer a student:

It's a pretty big deal, going from school into the real world. It can be a big shock getting used to this new way of life. Many people prefer to take this transition a little more slowly by studying or doing an internship abroad.

PRO: You'll learn a new language:

There's no better way to learn a new language than to live in the country that speaks it. Being immersed in a foreign language means that all of the new words that are learned can get put into practice straight away. People who live in native speaking countries of their target language are able to pick up the basics much faster than people who stay at home. You'll be a foreign language pro in no time!

Date: 2016-06-12; view: 83