What are the common merits and demerits of taking a gap year between high school and college?
A gap year is generally a useful 12-month i.e. 1-year long break taken from either academics or work in the interest of opting for other interests by the individual; they don’t weigh their regular life or line of work.
“sabbatical year” – This is another synonymous word that relates to a gap year. so this sabbatical year is a break year from work that an individual voluntarily takes. During this time generally, a person pursues his long-lost goals or either any interest which doesn’t relate to their general work life.
The term “gap year” is more specifically referred to students who take a year or more time away from their regular academics, generally between their high school i.e. after 12th, and college studies i.e. undergraduate or so.
Some students may also opt to take a gap year before starting the last stage of their 12th or even after graduating from a university, to prepare for better opportunities or make a good version of themselves before entering the workforce. in the same way, a gap year can be any long break or short-term break taken between either life stages or generally between academic stages in students, either that is between school and university or between the university and formal work, or even during changing careers or entering into retirement later on in life.Other similar names for a gap year are pathway, prep year, leap year, defer a year, bridge year, drop year, year out, a year off, overseas experience (OE), or even foundation year. The name we use will describe the course of work or activity or the goal we pursue during the gap year, details of what country you’re in, and sometimes the institution you wish to enter after your gap year in India is over.
Why a gap year?
There are many points to why you or any student might want to take a gap year. Students see it as an opportunity to get more professional or obtain personal experiences, reach specific goals, and/or explore personal interests.
If you’re thinking of taking a gap year, it is of utmost importance to think carefully about whether it’s the right decision for you, what you would be doing during that time, and what you will gain from it.
If you are on the lookout for applying for a university course or a more professional role, you’ll be expected to give a good reason that your year break was not for fun but was also very useful, productive, and meaningful.
So when planning a gap year one should consider how different activities will make you develop personally and intellectually, contribute to a good reason, obtain a greater understanding of the world scenarios, and develop skills that boost your maturity, commitment, and independence outside of formal education.
Some basic reasons to take a gap year include:-
- Deepen your understanding of the world
Whether you just want to check out and experience the culture of another country, or obtain an appreciation and get knowledge of global issues, taking a gap year can be of great help to immerse yourself in another country.
- Gain relevant work experience and important skills
Working when you’re in a gap year will lead to plenty of experience, skills, and knowledge gain, which is very useful when one applies for jobs later in the future.
this knowledge can also be useful during vocation-focused degree programs
- To Develop useful contacts
During this gap year, one can easily make a few useful contacts that can help with reaching their goals or obtain wonderful opportunities in numerous big firms by taking referrals from them.
- Challenge yourself
Many students take the year to deal with the challenges they’ve set or had for themselves up till this stage in life and step out of their comfort zone, face their fears, enjoy new experiences, and get strong.
- To some relaxation between school and further studies/work
Taking a gap, generally before beginning their new journey either starting university or entering the workforce can be helpful to make one feel refreshed, energized, and future-ready to give their best in their course or job. Some students may also take a year gap unintentionally as they failed to get the grades they are needed to obtain in their chosen course work.
Many colleges have stated that students who have returned from a gap year have come back with a more mature attitude
8)you can Improve and gain new life skills
One can do anything from learning and achieving fluency in a foreign language to becoming an instructor in various fields boosting one’s IT skills or more opportunities open up
- To Do something worthwhile
Many students take their gap year as an opportunity and need to do something worthwhile, such as volunteering, social service, etc.
Advantages of opting for a gap year:
- Time to pursue a passion: Taking a year gap can give a person the time to understand their skills and passion. students can spend their time pursuing their interests and hobbies which were neglected during their academic years. During this time, one can understand various choices and ways to build your career on a completely different path.
- Opportunity for real-time experience: Studying at a university is time-consuming and if you opt to work alongside your study, it can be very exhausting for one. So, during their gap year, one can work at the place of interest and obtain real-time experience. It will boost one’s confidence and help you reach the next level of your career
- Will Give you life experience: A gap year provides you with the true potential to obtain and learn more important life lessons rather than reading books.
- For future Financial preparation: Opting for college is a very big step in life. Having a gap year can help one to earn some money from any kind of part-time or primary job. It will also provide some time to prepare for scholarships and make the course more affordable. You can also list out colleges that provide financial help that is more suitable to your situation.
Gap Year Disadvantages:
- A year behind the batchmates:
One cannot ignore the fact that when you will be ready to face the situation, as most of your batch members and your friends will be ahead of you in academics. At a certain point When you are preparing your interviews, they will be settled in a company which might as well trigger you to consider the gap year as a wasted year. Seeing all your batchmates settled, might as well disturb your mental peace.
- Might also Lose the capability of studying:
Going back to your study has two different scenarios, you will either feel rejuvenated or refreshed, or you can also lose all the momentum of academics. Losing the zeal and acceleration towards study is a worst-case scenario but this is common in a lot of students.
- Stressful for a few: observing people having a fun-filled life and settled life while you will still have to plan for opting for the right course for you. It might disturb one’s preparation and a well-planned career might turn into a different one.
- Distracting to few:
Having a year-long time to think about your career can distract a few from considering their hobbies as a passion a few times. The students have the right and opportunity to choose a career of their own but sometimes opting for a hobby as a future option that might have a lot of risks will not be useful to forward.
Faqs
Ques:- Will a gap year affect your career? Do employers care about gap years?
A big gap of numerous months to a year on a resume is a big red flag to employers generally, even if one has a valid reason for taking that time off. So it is better to provide a good coverup for the year you had lost and convince them.
Ques: Is the year gap worth it? What might be the reason for a year gap?
A gap year is a time to spend time with yourself and to learn, achieve, and experience something meaningful to a person. This gap can be any option to know what suits you best or what field suits your personality
Ques: What is the best age to take a gap year?
High school graduates are the most chosen option: 17-18 years old. There are numerous reasons why taking a gap year after high school is a better option. as one will finally reach the age of independence and you’re at a prime time in life when your curiosity about the world has never been higher. Also, it is the prime time in one’s life to make decisions.
Ques: Do companies accept gap years?
Yes, some companies will accept gap years. so don’t worry about it. Even though few people have a year gap of around 1 year they still are working without any problems. So one doesn’t need to worry about a year gap.
Ques: What are the top 3 reasons that students take a gap year?
- To Gain life exposure, experience, and personal growth.
- Travel, to see the world, to experience other cultures.
- To Take a break from traditional academic schedules and plan their career.
Ques: How long is too long for a gap year?
It is important to keep in mind that a gap “year” can either be as long or as short as you might need it to be. Some people may take a gap that is only a few weeks long, while other people may opt to take a semester-long or year-long program. A gap year is unique to each individual depending on their choices.
Ques: Can I get a job after a few years of gap?
Yes, it is possible to get a job after a long gap, you will just need to be determined enough, have perseverance and try until you land a job
Ques: Do Indian students take any gap years?
The Indian academic routine can be quite taxing and might not provide enough work experience. However, taking a gap year while or during their undergraduate study at any university has been uncommon in the country.
