In an article entitled “10 Reasons to Take a Gap Year” published online in Campus Explorer, it rationalized that taking time off after high school graduation would prove to be more beneficial to the students. The ten reasons which supported this argument is appropriately highlighted herewith, to wit: (1) it provides ample opportunities to recharge the students’ academic battery; (2) the gap could be effectively utilized to seek the most appropriate academic institution to pursue the intended course; (3) the wider time frame would likewise assist in discerning the degree course to be pursued according to personal preferences, interests, resources, opportunities, and professional goals; (4) the extra time off could be spent travelling in new places, which could actually provide an innovative way to learn and widen the students’ knowledge and experiences on other cultures and way of life; (5) taking the time off in between academic endeavors would assist in the development of confidence through enhanced interpersonal experiences and through engaging in productive endeavors; (6) the gap year could be used to pursue other endeavors which could include applying for internships and engaging in part-time jobs that would be considered plus factors in the resumes that would assist in earning income to be prepared for future applications; (7) a respite in academic activities and deciding to engage in transitory employment could be a beneficial experience that would actually assist in sharing work experiences in future academic programs; (8) students who decide to give back to the community through joining volunteer, civic, or socially responsible programs are accorded with a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment; (9) the one year gap could be a form of risk-taking which is a formative and learning experience that could provide new insights to personal and professional outlook in life; and finally, (10) actively seeking internships could also assist in pursuing higher education which sometimes require documenting previous work experiences in specifically identified course modules .
In another article entitled “Should You Take a Gap Year Before College and Explore Alternatives?” published online in Peterson’s, the author has supported taking one year off through exploring other productive opportunities that high school graduates could pursue. From among the interesting endeavors which were disclosed, the following are noteworthy: (1) joining the armed forces; (2) undertake some form of vocational training or delving into career educational programs; (3) pursue other interests: “high school graduates in many other countries, including Australia, Britain, and Israel, often defer admission to college as an accepted chance to explore their interests and see the world prior to entering a college or university” ; (4) the one year time off could be spent as a reflective moment to determine and confirm the appropriate career and academic institution which would meet future professional goals.
Works Cited
Campus Explorer. "10 Reasons to Take a Gap Year." 28 June 2013. campusexplorer.com. http://www.campusexplorer.com/college-advice-tips/7160010C/10-Reasons-to-Take-a-Gap-Year/. 5 October 2013.
Peterson's. "Should You Take a Gap Year Before College and Explore Alternatives?" 30 January 2013. petersons.com. http://www.petersons.com/college-search/gap-year-explore-alternatives.aspx. 5 October 2013.
