Mental health issues are a growing concern at college campuses across the country (Survey: American Psychological Association). Students, who want to succeed in college, may find that they are ill-prepared from a social-emotional perspective; they may lack sufficient maturity, resilience, focus, goal-orientation, and grit. Others may just need a break from the grind of high school before submersing themselves in college classes.
So, what does all this have to do with a gap year?
Some students are eager and ready to head to college just a few months after the ink on their diplomas dries. Most are excited by the prospect of leaving home and what may perceive as a parental vice-grip. Could some benefit from spending a year in non-academic settings cultivating life-skills and learning independence, and figuring out what they want to study?
A gap year done right provides students with the opportunity to foster personal growth and finetune academic and professional goals. What better way to boost confidence and maturity than spending time in real-world contexts in the pursuit of meaningful outcomes? What better way to bolster a sense of security and optimism than interacting with positive and productive people? What better way to hone in on academic and career interests than exposure to novel situations?
So, what is a gap year?
According to the Gap Year Association , a gap year is a “semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one's practical, professional, and personal awareness. In theory, as long the intended result is personal growth, a gap year can follow many paths. How growth is defined depends on personal interpretation. While a gap year might include travel to far-away places, it can just as easily involve research, community service, language immersion, or internships. Considerations when planning a gap year include time, money, interests, and goals.
So, what ISN’T a gap year?
A gap year is not an excuse to sit on the couch binge-watching Netflix, honing Call of Duty scores, or making Tik-Tok videos. A gap year before college is not taking classes at community college: that is college.
So, what are the benefits of a gap year?
Students, who complete a meaningful gap year, may be more mature, resilient, focused, goal-oriented, and gritty. A gap year may give students new-found direction and focus in preparation for the rigor of college. In fact, students who took a gap year may do better in college. Interested in learning more about the benefits, start by glancing at data provided by the Gap Year Association.
So, what should be taken into consideration prior to embarking on a gap year?
Like any major decision, taking a gap year should be thought out and researched thoroughly. Considerations include: type of program, planning for college, college bridge year programs, and goals, (Things to Consider before taking a Gap Year).
Who takes a gap year?
Students from across the country, including those accepted to the country’s most prestigious universities. Elizabeth Armstrong, professor of sociology at the University of Michigan sees no downside
Want to learn more? Follow these links:
Teen Life: Gap Year Programs for Teens
Princeton Review: Things to Consider Before Taking a Gap Year
Kathy Griswold Fine, PhD
Fine Educational Solutions
Kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com
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