Learn • Anywhere

What are the pros and cons of taking a gap year?
Rumie logo

Caleb is at a fork in the road. He isn't sure whether he's ready for college just yet.

A person standing in a wooded area. In front of the person is a fork in the sidewalk. The person has to decide which was to gPhoto by Caleb Jones on Unsplash

Many people aren't sure that going directly to college after high school is the right choice for them.

A gap year can be a great option for people who may not be ready to jump right into college after graduating high school.

What is a Gap Year?

Typically taken between the end of high school and the start of college, a gap year is a break from formal education. Students who take a gap year often choose to travel, complete volunteer work or find a job/internship in an area that interests them.

Did you know?

Burnout from the competitive nature of high school and a desire to discover more about themselves are the top two reasons students take gap years (Shellenbarger, 2010, The Wall Street Journal Online).

Pros of a Gap Year

Learn Vital Life Skills!

  • learn a new language

  • increase leadership skills through service learning

  • gain hands-on experience in areas of interest through a job or internship

A large craft pencil up on a wall that reads 'Love To Learn.'Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Find Your Passion!

  • study abroad and experience another culture

  • pick up a new hobby

  • volunteer for an organization related to your interests

A red heart carved into a treePhoto by Chandan Chaurasia on Unsplash

Set Some Goals!

  • explore your passions and interests and use those to create personal and career goals for yourself

  • determine short and long-term goals

  • use your goals to help you decide your path after your gap year

Cons of a Gap Year

Flaticon Icon

Falling "Behind"

It can be hard to watch your friends leave for college and go through similar experiences without you.

Flaticon Icon

Back to School

If you don't have a plan and stick to it during your gap year, it could be a challenge to motivate yourself to go back to school.

Flaticon Icon

The Cost

Depending upon how you spent your time during your gap year, it can become very expensive.

Quiz

What steps can you take to ensure that your gap year is a success? Select all that apply.

Who Do You Relate To?

Read about Monica and Charles. Which situation do you find most relatable?

Monica

Flaticon Icon

Went straight to college because...

  • She has known that she wants to become a doctor ever since she can remember.

  • She was accepted to Johns Hopkins University, her #1 choice.

  • She completed 2 years of volunteer work at a local hospital during high school.

  • She plans to participate in a semester abroad program.

CharlesFlaticon Icon

Took a gap year because...

  • He isn't sure what he wants to do for a career, but he does have several areas of interest.

  • He's interested in several different colleges but there isn't one that sticks out as "the one" at the moment.

  • He would love to explore the world, since he's never traveled abroad before.

Did you know?

60% of those surveyed who took a gap year said that their experience either set them on their current career path/academic major or confirmed their choice of career/academic major (Haigler & Nelson, The Gap Year Association).

Take Action

There's no right or wrong answer when considering a gap year!

A woman pointing towards the camera while saying, 'You get to decide.'

Make the best decision for YOU:

License:

This Byte has been authored by

SM

Sandi McKinney

Instructional Designer/eLearning Developer

#learning-to-learn

#learning-strategies

#learning-approaches

#info

#student-life

See more content...
English

🍪 We use technical and analytics cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. more info