In this article, we will discuss eight good reasons to take a gap year. We will tell you about all the advantages and disadvantages. We will teach you how to plan for a gap year and how to make the best of it!
A list of good reasons to take a gap year
A Gap Year is an invaluable gift that will allow you to improve yourself for the following reasons:
- To reduces your stress levels: Something very important that you have to know is that no matter what live & learn a program you choose, you will not spend all your time studying or tucked into a classroom, all our programs contain leisure activities and monthly calendars with recreational activities, in order that they take advantage of the opportunity to know the country where they are and its culture.
- It increases the chances of finishing a university degree: students who took the sabbatical year have higher scores during the university career and even increases the possibility of completing a degree in four years.
Another benefit of studying abroad is that you develop new skills and tools for a better future, that is, you can see things from another perspective, which in the long run can become a great differentiator when applying for a job.
- Help personal development: when you take time for yourself and invest it in learning a new language in another country or taking courses in areas that are of interest to you, it forces you to develop skills to better relate to other people, by living in another country, you become more tolerant and respect for other ways of thinking grows.
- You experience working life: being on sabbatical gives you the opportunity to work (as a trainee) in different areas of your interest, you could take it as a pre-college, and this helps to make a better decision about the career you want to study or what you want to dedicate.
One of the benefits of going with live & learn experts is that we offer you the possibility of working and studying abroad, of course, taking into account the countries that allow it.
- Manage time in your favour: during this year you can organize your priorities, perhaps part of the year you want to travel to get to know other cultures, then enrol in a course abroad to learn to perfect a language and this can be combined with professional internships, remember that here, everything is at your own pace.
- You will have time to research your true interests: Many students have an early vocation, but many others must make almost hasty decisions when they finish high school, enrolling in a career that they later discover was not the one they would have liked to study.
On the other hand, when you take a sabbatical year, you significantly reduce the chances of this happening, since you will have a lot of time to investigate and discover what really motivates you.
- You will be able to develop new skills: You may be clear about what you are good at, but it is always a challenge to test yourself in other areas where you feel insecure. And precisely this you can achieve by taking responsibilities outside of your comfort zone, such as starting to work even in a field that you are not passionate about.
- You will feel completely refreshed: Taking a gap year not only means new adventures and challenges, but it also gives you plenty of time to rest and clarify ideas. After this experience you will have more desire than ever to return to studies, knowing how to take advantage of what you have learned as a possibility to stand out in a positive way.
Reasons not to take a gap year:
Don’t take a gap year to:
- Leave on a whim. If your project is not successful you risk losing a year for nothing.
- Escape from a difficult professional situation because you feel on the verge of burnout. Let’s not confuse sabbatical leave with sick leave.
- Do it because of envy. Don’t do it just because it sounds cool.
- Escape from a boring job: If you are going around in circles, take a career review instead.
- Restore your self-esteem. This is just not the way. You shouldn’t take a gap year to prove something, neither to yourself or to others.
Recommendations for taking a Gap Year
Plan. Before taking this step, take some time to plan it and save enough money to carry out your activities, approach the experts for guidance.
Determine your academic standing. The most advisable thing is to take the sabbatical year when you finish the upper secondary academic level, just before making the decision of which career to study.
Define dates and organize. Decide how long you will take rest and based on this, choose the activities that you will integrate into your life, it can be travelling, studying abroad, volunteering, working in something different, resting for a while, etc.
If you want to travel on your gap year, here are some ideas:
To study abroad. Nothing better to update you and turn your life around than studying in another country, it can be a language or a course in the subject that most catches your attention.
Volunteer. A trip with a cause is one of the best ways to set a course in life, to do some unusual work and to become aware of the planet, whether it is helping the education of children in China, taking care of elephants in Thailand or supporting the activities in a protected area in Australia.
Make a trip. Travelling is healthy, de-stresses and allows us to know other places, have fun and above all enjoy the time. There are tours designed for people from 0 to 99 years old, so you will surely find something to your liking.
Final thoughts
Growing personally, meeting people and other ways of thinking and seeing the world… These are just some of the benefits of taking a gap year. In fact, the most prestigious institutions in the world such as Harvard University, encourage students to take a break before enrolling and starting a career.
And even in Anglo-Saxon countries, there is a way of naming this break that takes place after finishing high school and before entering university: gap year.
But taking a gap year is not the same as sitting idly by watching TV for 365 days, it is a time that should be used to do meaningful things, such as travelling, learning languages, learning a trade, volunteering, doing an internship. or what you feel will contribute to your personal and professional development.
This “Gap Year” is seen as a way for students to become independent and acquire certain responsibilities in that passage to adult life that is the university, so to meet the objective, plans must be made in advance.
Finally, take a sabbatical year to gain experience. We don’t think about it enough, but a gap year doesn’t always mean vacation! Indeed, many students choose to take a year outside of the usual curriculum to do internships, civic services or even volunteering.
All these experiences will be valued in the CV, and allow you to gain maturity and experience while discovering a region, a culture (whether corporate or not!), And above all, yourself. Because yes, the sabbatical is first and foremost about getting to know each other.
You will see that during your future interviews, going back on a sabbatical year is always beneficial if you have taken advantage of this time for a passion or to learn a language or to discover yourself.
Re-energize and (re) discover yourself. Whether it is to go and learn Spanish or another language, or to gain professional experience, the sabbatical is primarily for a meeting, discovering and knowing others. For that, no need to go far!
Just by staying at home, you will be able to take the time to try activities that you have never had time to try before, to get back to reading, and especially to ask yourself, and to think about it. that you want to do.
Many of us get lost along the way, after many years in college or in the same job, and feel like we are doing something on a daily basis that no longer makes sense to them. In this, the sabbatical year allows you to take your bearings or find new ones, to be more fulfilled than ever!
A gap year is only too recommendable, during a professional career or at school. It allows you to learn about yourself and others, and to get back in better shape than ever. So, are you ready to give it a try?
If you are ready to share your thoughts, please let us know!
FAQ on Good reasons to take a gap year
Why is it a good idea to take a gap year?
Taking a gap year is a good idea as it will give you the best experience of your life. Growing personally, meeting people and other ways of thinking and seeing the world… These are just some of the benefits of taking a gap year.
Is it worth taking a gap year?
It is worth taking a gap year if you plan to better yourself during this period. Before taking this step, take some time to plan it and save enough money to carry out your activities, approach the experts for guidance.
What is the best thing to do in a gap year?
The best thing to do in a gap year is to travel the world, volunteer, learn a new skill and a new language, work to gain experience.
Do universities like gap years?
Most universities like gap years. Is seen as a way for students to become independent and acquire certain responsibilities in that passage to adult life that is the university, so to meet the objective, plans must be made in advance.
How do I apply for a gap year?
You can apply for a gap year after you have been admitted to college. Make a request to the admission committee. Prepare yourself for a “no”.
References
Bestcolleges.com
Ef.com
forbes.com
