| For many students, taking a gap year (or taking a | | | | Year, Gap Advice, and a host of other online |
| year off from their academic studies) can be a most | | | | organizations. Just do a google search for additional |
| productive activity. Students taking gap years may | | | | groups that encourage gap year activities. Some |
| participate in fulfilling volunteer opportunities. They | | | | things students have done during gap years include: |
| may choose to work or just take time to reflect on | | | | - Work or volunteer abroad. |
| their lives and what they want to pursue as a future | | | | - Help teach English in an Asia country. |
| career. | | | | - Do something you could never do in college: work |
| A gap year may be a student's last chance to travel | | | | an unusual job, visit improbable places |
| abroad because after college they may have to go | | | | - Building houses in Africa |
| directly to work to pay off student loans and to | | | | - Teaching overseas |
| offset the cost of getting their college degree. Gap | | | | Lots of organizations specialize in gap year programs |
| years may be taken immediately after completion of | | | | - just do a web search Deferring college for a year |
| high school or college. Even though we call it a gap | | | | can help you crystallize your career plans. Taking a |
| year, it could really be a gap semester or a gap | | | | year or two off after graduating from high school is |
| couple of years. | | | | the ordinary course of events in Europe, UK, and |
| Some students are so burned out by the rigors of | | | | Australia. Frequently, students who delay their college |
| thirteen years of formal education that they just | | | | education return to their studies highly focused. They |
| have to take a break before going to college. So a | | | | generally have high completion rates. We always |
| gap year is a welcome respite for them. Some | | | | focus on getting accepted, but we also need to |
| students need an additional year to mature before | | | | graduate from college. |
| matriculating in college. They may want to: | | | | Most students who defer a year of college generally |
| - study abroad, | | | | indulge in non-academic activities, but a weak student |
| - travel and see the world, | | | | can use the time to bolster their academic skills. They |
| - work to save money for college, | | | | often return to academia with renewed focus, a |
| - take time to find themselves, volunteer or do | | | | disciplined work ethic, increased competence in many |
| community service for issues that they care deeply | | | | areas, and greater self-knowledge. These are all |
| about, | | | | attributes that will serve them well in the world of |
| - take time off to help out their families - perhaps | | | | employment or undergraduate studies. |
| caring for a sick parent, or | | | | Few things are worse for students and their families |
| - all of the above. | | | | than starting college, getting a bunch of student |
| Most students I know who have taken a gap year, | | | | loans, dropping out, and then owing all of that money. |
| are very glad that they did. They returned from their | | | | Virtually 60% of students to start at a 4-year state |
| time off with a renewed zest for life and increased | | | | college or university don't graduate within 5 years. |
| motivation to do well in their university studies. My | | | | About 30% of students who enroll in college don't |
| advice to students who want to take a time-out is | | | | come back for their sophomore year. |
| to make sure you do something you love. Don't do a | | | | So don't go to college unless you are truly ready. |
| study program if what you want is a break from | | | | You are better off not even starting. That saves |
| schoolwork. That sort of defeats the purpose. | | | | everyone's time and money. A gap year might be |
| Do something special or life-changing. If you want | | | | what you need to decide if you really do want to go |
| help planning a gap year, there are lots of groups | | | | to college. |
| that can assist you. Check out Planet Gap Year, Leap | | | | |