You’ve heard it from everyone…”you’re going to love college…college is the best 4 years of your life…you must be so excited for college!” Sure, college can be fun and exciting, but it could also be stressful and downright frightening. If you find yourself leaning towards the latter, don’t panic. You might just need a gap year.
What is a Gap Year? Students across the country are taking a break between high school and college and opting for a gap year experience. Typically, a gap year is a period of time (a semester or a year) that students take and dedicate to personal growth. A time to step away from the intensities of the classroom and focus on developing interests and passions through experiential learning. Whether it is through travel, service, work, or simply adding a PG year, the ultimately goal of the gap year is to provide students with a better understanding of themselves so they can return to academics refreshed, confident and motivated to pursue their undergraduate studies.
How do you take a Gap Year? There are no hard and fast rules to the gap year. Some prefer to individually plan their own way while others follow structured programs provided by established organizations that specialize in the gap year experience. How you choose to spend your time is up to you. Just remember to use this time to continue your education in a meaningful way. It should not be seen as an extended vacation but rather an alternative way to learn something new outside the classroom.
What do you do during a Gap Year? Typically the gap year includes one or more of the following experiences. I have included a link for each but there are so many programs out there. So consider each and explore your options to make your gap year meaningful.
Community Service / Volunteer Abroad – Students find fulfillment in participating in service project around the world. Not only do they make a difference by helping others, they receive the cultural benefits of spending extended periods of time with the people they are helping.
Travel – Students who travel during this time not only have the opportunity to see different cultures, they immerse themselves into every part of a new world. Gap year students who travel abroad may be hosted by a family and perhaps work for a local business. Benefits include learning a new language, developing new skills and uncovering hidden passions Traveling abroad also promotes adventures and meeting new friends. It is an excellent way to spend this time.
Work – Working during your gap year is a popular option. It can mean working close to home or somewhere completely different. Regardless of the location, working during helps students explore career options, gain valuable experience and save money. The key to working is to have a plan. You can go through a gap year work program that provides job experiences (and usually handles logistics) or find work on your own. Think about what field you are interested in, research organizations and companies, then build your resume. Use all of the resources available to you to make connections such as friends, family, teachers, your high school guidance counselor and career center.
Post Graduate Year – Also known as the PG year, it is the transitional year many high school students take before entering college to improve academic skills, athletic skills or to simply mature. PG years are often spent in private secondary schools many of which include housing.
New England Schools that offer a PG Program
Still unsure if a gap year is right for you? Take the quiz
For more information on planning a gap year including programs and videos, please see the links below: