Jayne Claire Vincent, Campus Carrier asst. sports editor
Making the move from high school to college can be intimidating and challenging. It’s scary, exciting and confusing all at the same time. The time after high school, during college and after graduating from college is a time to learn about yourself and the world around you. Taking a gap year is a great way to learn more about oneself and how to survive without constant guidance from parents.
A lot of students who enter college directly out of high school do not know how to do simple tasks such wash their own laundry, cook a basic meal, clean a bathroom or how to properly time manage. However, a gap year can help students become self-sufficient.
When people think of a gap year they typically think of a yearlong break between high school and college or between college and entering the workforce. However, a gap year does not have to last an entire year. Instead, taking a semester off can be just as advantageous compared to an entire year or two.
Growing up, students are pushed to declare their major as soon as they are freshmen in high school. This unrealistic standard of knowing who you want to be and what you want to do in your life so early on puts an enormous amount of pressure and stress on students at such a young age. There are endless amounts of options for careers that many students are not informed about since they immediately move from high school into college. Yet students are still asked to declare a college major that will impact the rest of their life.
Taking a gap year instead of transitioning directly into college after high school can be very beneficial for students to become more familiar with themselves and to learn about all the opportunities that are out in the world.
There are so many options when it comes to taking a gap year. One option students could take is to volunteer for an organization to pursue an interest they might not get another chance to. Another is a personal gap year, where students have the chance to spend time working on a project they love. Some students decide to use the time to travel, while others enter the workforce for a small amount of time to set aside money.
If they choose to spend their time traveling, students can experience different cultures which helps develop new skills and discover new interests. Experiencing new cultures in different states or countries can help individuals appreciate diversity which is crucial at a college campus and in the workplace. Traveling is also a great way for students to grow in their social skills by understanding how to respect and appreciate people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.
Even though taking a gap year is beneficial in many ways, there is a stigma that goes along with it. Many people believe that students will not return to further their education if they decide to take a semester or year away from school. However, taking a gap year allows students to take the time they need to figure out what they want to do in life and how they can achieve their goal. During this time, they can better prepare themselves for college by learning how to be independent.