Graduating high school is one of the biggest milestones in a teenager’s life. However, the pressure to decide what to do next may overwhelm many high schoolers. A gap year may be beneficial for young adults. It is a good time for graduates to take a breath and figure out what they want to pursue. It gives them time to mature, travel, and more before making a significant investment in a college education.
Greater Sense of Oneself
Taking a break from education does not mean it is time to sit around and game all day. A gap year is the best time to get to know oneself. Take the time to explore your interests and passions. It could lead to unforeseen opportunities. Also, now is the time to explore careers and get a feel for what you want to do with your life.
See The World
Traveling the world during a gap year is a great time to learn about other cultures. Traveling provides many opportunities, such as using the foreign language studied in high school or the opportunity to learn a new one. It is the time to meet new people, learn new cultural traditions, and try different foods. Traveling is the time to get a better sense of the world outside of your backyard and what your place in it may be.
Add To Your Resume
A gap year could be financially beneficial while adding to your resume. There is no doubt college is expensive. Finding a job will allow students to save money. Applying or reapplying to college after a gap year may lead to more scholarships for students with work experience.
Depending on the job, the employer may provide a scholarship if you stay with the company part-time while taking college. Another scenario is you end up loving your job and decide to put college aside for now. Regardless of the outcome, you will learn valuable skills and gain experience you can add to your resume. A more well-rounded resume will make you stand out from graduates who have not taken the time to gain work experience.
Create A Larger Network
There will probably be a few friends from high school you will be friends with for life. However, a gap year is a great time to expand your network. Building relationships through shared experiences while traveling or working can be valuable. Large networks provide more opportunities for professional connections.
Hands-on Life Preparedness
It is easy to handle life when you know you can find food in the refrigerator. Also, your mom and dad are in the other room if you need help. A gap year is the best time to strengthen your life skills. If you still do not know how to cook or do laundry, now is the time to learn. Learning how to make a budget, manage money, and create a daily schedule will help make life less stressful in the future. You will be more prepared to live by yourself, whether in a dorm or an off-campus apartment.
Do Something Good
Do you have a cause close to your heart? Have you always wanted to volunteer but could not find the time with school, sports, and everything else? Now is the time to volunteer and make an impact. Many gap-year students join the Peace Corps or get involved with Projects Abroad. Both allow students to travel while gaining life experience.
There are many causes close to home. Consider building a home with Habitat for Humanity. Check the local animal shelter if they need dog walkers or an extra pair of hands. Find a charitable organization that aligns with your career goals.
Enhance Academic Performance
Studies have shown that students who return to academics after a gap do better academically than those who went to college straight out of high school. Sometimes, high school students need a year in the real world to fall in love with going back to school. Students tend to gain more clarity about what they want to do with their lives while taking a break. They can now cater to their academic pursuits to match their goals. Students with clear goals excel academically and have a more fulfilling college experience.
Mental Health and Well-Being Benefits
The pandemic exhausted most of us. For students, it was a time of constant change, anxiety, and isolation. Taking a break to prioritize mental health can benefit high school graduates who feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Now would be the time to learn stress-coping skills. If therapy or medication is needed, a gap year would be the time to adjust to any lifestyle changes. College students who are mentally ready and rested will perform better in college than those struggling to get through the day.
Make Unforgettable Memories
A gap year is an opportunity to make unforgettable memories. Whether you take a once-in-a-lifetime trip or spend time helping people without homes, the positive memories will stay with you. Even the small things, for example, helping a neighbor paint their house or hosting a food drive, will teach you how to find that life’s special moments do not always need to be some grand event. You never know; some of those memories may spark new interests and take you in a new direction.
There are many benefits to pursuing a gap year after high school. A well-planned gap year can result in personal growth, a better understanding of the world, and a new outlook on future goals. Take the gap year seriously, learn about yourself, and create positive memories you will never forget.