For seniors who do not quite feel prepared for college, not ready to leave home so soon, or feel burnt out from the past 13 years of school, may choose to take a gap year after graduating high school. Until recently, I was convinced that a gap year was the way to go. However, after a lot of thought, an (exhaustingly) long conversation with my parents, and ultimately choosing my career path, I decided that it was in my best interest to not take a gap year and continue to school post-grad.
Gap years have become more common over the past few years. Just a little over three years ago, the world and everything in it came to a sudden halt. The pandemic put a huge damper on not only those already living the college life, but also those who are preparing for it. A handful of colleges and universities either shut- down or went virtual, which resulted in many students opting to take a gap year. According to usnews.com, roughly 130,000 students decided on a gap year during the 2020-21 school year.
While the many high school seniors pack up and leave for college after graduation, one alternative to this is a gap year. There are plenty of factors that play into this choice. For most, this is the first big decision that young adults have to decide for themselves.
Of course, a decision of this size comes with a massive list of pros and cons. According to pacificdiscovery.org, a gap year is a great way to prepare before stepping to a new level of independence. Others have said something just slightly different. It can be difficult to stay connected to your friends given that they will be a year ahead and to transition back to school; others may observe that this option is expensive and requires planning. While it tends to be a different experience for everyone,, I have put together a list of pros and cons to help students who may still be weighing their post-graduation options.
From a personal aspect, the most obvious benefit of taking a gap year is the free time. From the time you graduate to when applications are due, traveling becomes easier, working more hours to be financially stable is more convenient, and simply being at home with family or friends becomes more worthwhile. The first half of my senior year was by far the hardest semester of my time at Myers Park. This is when I strongly considered taking a gap year. In my head, it made so much sense to take a year off. But I also had to think about what I may be missing.
Getting an education is one of those things that’s expected of you. Graduating high school, going directly to college, and getting a job all within a five-year time span has always been a part of the standards held to me. It’s a lot harder than it may sound. I also saw that a major downfall to a late college start was the social aspect of it. I would watch my friends leave for school in early August and only see them over breaks. I would regret taking that step back as I watched them truly experience college for themselves. I was also scared about how hard the harsh transition back into school would be. For me, going straight back into “school mode” after being cooped up at home for the last year would definitely give me a hard time.
To the readers: If you were hesitant on whether to take part in a gap year or not, I hope this gave you some clarity. I encourage you to make your own list of pros and cons after hearing my own. Whatever route you choose, I believe you will seek your greatest potential. Best of luck!