UNIV 401
Gap Year
‘Should I take a gap year or head straight to college?’ is a question shared by a large number of high school graduates. Attending college or university is an exciting idea, and every year many educational institutions embark on offering admission for prospective freshmen students. But while the majority of high school graduates plan on going straight up to college, taking a gap year is another option that is gaining popularity in recent years. A gap year is referred to as a year in between high school graduation and first year of college, though it can be taken any time. Taking a gap year is becoming a common practice and there has been an escalation in the number of students taking a gap year in many counties. Further, there is an increase in colleges and universities that offer financial assistances to students who wanted to take a gap year to pursue other interests such as travelling, volunteering or completing an internship program. A gap year can be helpful for students who may want to take some time off from the traditional classroom setting in order to figure out their future career plans. In my case, my decision to take a gap year is due to the feeling of uncertainty of what I want to do after high school. I thought that I should spend a little time away from academic responsibilities, and instead focus on other activities such as working for my family’s business and decide from there, whether I would pursue a degree in my country or in the United States.
Taking a gap year offers many benefits, and some the most common reasons why students take this time off from the traditional school processes are to gain increased self-awareness, step off from academic works, expand on their experiences and explore and learn bout other cultures. It is acknowledged that most high school graduates are too young and inexperienced to clearly define their career direction, and this often leads to frustration upon going into their post-secondary studies. The gap year offers students an opportunity to gain valuable experiences that can help them develop a greater self - understanding of themselves and of what they wanted to do with their lives, such on what career to pursue upon going to college. It is also a way of stepping out of their comfort zone, explore their skills, strength and weaknesses and to cultivate confidence about their individual capabilities.
Taking a gap year is helpful for high school graduates to renew their interest in the academic world. It is also a needed time off for them to have sufficient time to reflect on their goals and the ways on how to better achieve them. Further, it is advisable for young graduates who remain undecided on what field of study to pursue in college, or on whether they will go to college at all. By being exposed to relevant gap year experiences, young people will be able to determine their field of interest and develop their passion which are helpful in their academic and career decisions. A gap year can also provide an opportunity to participate in career counseling offered by professionals. For students who were undecided on their post-secondary choices, career counselors can guide them through the use of different activities that are geared towards creating a firm foundation from which to base their career and educational choices.
Taking a gap year is also helpful for international students, as it allows them to take advantage of this period to travel in various parts of the world. For some, it is a chance to be in places and be exposed to different perspectives and experiences that will prepare them for what lies ahead in the future. It also helps them develop a deeper understanding of other cultures, which is vital in this highly globalized world. As argued by many people who favor the idea that high school graduates should take a gap year, the process of immersing oneself in other cultures will lead to better understanding what is meant by becoming a responsible global citizen.
Many people who choose to take a gap year claimed that the time off made them a better person. For example, after her visit from different countries in Europe, my cousin realized that there are many things that are waiting to be explored. She observed that personally seeing and experiencing other cultures are different from reading them on the books. The gap year was a kind of an awakening experience to her, as it was during this period when became prepared to go to college. She now thinks of college as an opportunity, not only to enrich herself, but also to gain the needed knowledge and skills to be able to share with the world.
Many students are excited about the approaching end of the school year, and while there are many graduates who may pursue post-secondary education straight away, there are also those who may opt to take a gap year. There are diverse reasons why students should take a gap year, one is that they are not completely decided on what to do after their high school graduation. Accordingly, there are many choices from which students can spend the gap year, and there are also universities that offer grants to those who wanted to spend this time for specific purposes such as travelling and volunteering. It was pointed out that taking a gap year instead of going directly to the university is a helpful process that will help one gain a better self-understanding. For some students, this is a time that allows them to ponder on the things that they will do such as on what course to take in college. There are also those who used this time to travel and get to know other cultures. Taking a gap year is also helpful for international students, as it will help them understand another culture and perspective. They will learn how it is to become a citizen of the world and acquire a broader viewpoint of the other places, people, culture and the world as a whole.
