The Gap Year: A Worthwhile Investment

I remember the first time I heard the words “gap year.” I was an adult and had just started working at an Outward Bound school, an organization that offers gap year courses among other life-changing wilderness courses. When I was in high school, I was not aware of anyone taking a gap year prior to doing whatever they were doing next. Life then felt like a race to the next thing whether it be starting college, tech school, or a job!

Now, gap years are commonplace, and I think they are a fantastic idea. I love the concept that life isn’t a race and taking time to reset and refocus after high school is important. Gap years are not for any particular “type” of student – they aren’t for kids that are floundering or flourishing academically. Gap years are for anyone who wants to enjoy the journey on the path to adulthood.

Here are 5 reasons why your child could benefit from a gap year:

Personal Growth:

A gap year can provide an opportunity for personal development and growth. It allows students to step out of their comfort zones, gain independence, and develop a stronger sense of self-awareness. Students can also develop life-long friendships during gap year journeys.

Clarify Goals:

Many students enter college without a clear understanding of what they want to study or pursue as a career. A gap year can provide time to explore different interests, gain work experience, and clarify academic and career goals. It doesn’t guarantee that a student won’t switch majors during college, but going in with more direction is never a bad idea.

Real-world Experience and Gaining Perspective:

Gap years often involve activities such as volunteering, internships, or travel, which provide valuable real-world experiences. These experiences can enhance a student’s resume, build important skills, and provide insight into different cultures and communities. Empathy and awareness are two huge skills gained from gap years.

Avoiding Burnout:

Have you ever felt burnt out at work? Students may feel that same way after four long years of high school. A gap year can provide much-needed rest and rejuvenation, allowing students to return to their studies, or future job, with renewed energy and focus.

Opportunity for Reflection:

A gap year provides a valuable opportunity for students to reflect on their values, interests, and aspirations. This reflection can help them make more informed decisions about their future academic and career paths.

Overall, taking a gap year can be a transformative experience that allows students to gain valuable skills, experiences, and insights that can benefit them both personally and academically in the long term. Even a gap semester instead of a full year can be a great investment for some students. I’ll dive into more about gap year programs in upcoming posts. There are many out there at different price points that offer entirely different experiences. Some of these look so fun, it is a shame they aren’t offered for adults!