You may have seen plenty of movies and shows where students take a gap year upon graduating from high school, and spend the year ‘discovering themselves’ partying away and generally having fun. This is largely a stereotype, the actual truth is much more sober — a gap year is generally an extended cooling-off period students take after graduating from high school where they take the time to carefully consider what they want to do or study in college. The nature of this self-reflective period is geared toward personal discovery, and achieving something constructive in the time available. Gap year individuals often report improved confidence, communication skills, resilience, initiative, mental health, and global perspectives.
That said, any time that is needed to achieve that clarity is included in the idea of a gap year; it might take less than or greater than a year, but the importance of a gap year is to remove oneself from the peer pressure of the choices others are making. At that age, people can often feel the pressure to do what is “cool” or “popular,” ignoring what agrees with their personality and work ethic personally. Because each individual has different personalities, learning styles, and conceptions of an ideal career, it can take time to discover what they could obtain the most joy out of. This is why a sensible way to do that is for you to follow your intuition, and gather experiences that you have always wanted to in a non-competitive environment.
Certain popular myths around gap years inevitably crop up: that children will forget what they have learnt academically, that they are simply aimless for wanting to take a gap year, or you need a lot of wealth and international travelling to get the most out of your gap year; however, perceptions around this phenomenon are changing for the better, as people are realising the value of slowing down and choosing a life that gels with their personal constitution, goals and expectations from life. If you find yourself in a similar dilemma about which college major to opt for and what kind of life you want to lead, here are some opportunities and initiatives you can opt for in order to make the most of the time you take for yourself:
- Intended career-related internships
- Local training and apprenticeship opportunities
- Accredited college-level online courses or summer programs
- Budgeted travel
- Work-exchange experiences
- Grassroots volunteering
- Learning foreign languages
- Wellness/Mental Health programs
- Volunteering on political campaigns
- Outdoor adventure experiences
