Exploring the Gap Year

If you’re a high school senior, consider the growing trend of taking a gap year before committing yourself to college. Taking a year off between high school and college has many benefits for self-discovery and personal growth. You’ll find yourself more refreshed and focused on education after taking a gap year to discover your interests. Especially if you’re unsure which major you would like to pursue, a gap year will help you define your academic path. To ensure a successful gap year experience, create a structured plan with your future higher education in mind. Once accepted into a college of your choice, request to defer admittance by outlining to the admissions committee your gap year plan.

Volunteer programs including AmeriCorps, Teach for America, and WWOOF, are valuable experiences that will enhance your education while exploring the gap year. Support communities in need while travelling to new parts of the country. AmeriCorps services schools, nonprofits, and public agencies, where you’ll gain valuable work skills and earn money for education. Teach for America aims to train dedicated individuals as teachers for low-income communities to bridge the gap in education inequalities. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is an exchange program between volunteers and organic farms all over the world. In exchange for volunteer help, organic farm hosts offer accommodations and food, along with the opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture.

Or, jump straight into the workforce by applying for an internship or an entry-level position at a company you admire. The professional experience you’ll gain will not only add to your resume, but will give you the confidence to pursue a similar position in the future. Test the waters of your potential career path by joining a company that would require your academic degree. If you’re still deciding which major is right for you, use this time to learn a broad scope of skills in different positions. Get a head start on graduating college without significant debt by earning money for your education during your gap year.

If you’d prefer to forge your own path and explore, why not create an itinerary for travelling abroad? Expand your horizons by immersing yourself in a foreign culture. You might even pick up a new language! Surprise yourself by trying age-old customs and adapting to unfamiliar lifestyles. Make acquaintances with the locals, who will give you the best advice for touring the area. These enriching adventures will give you a fresh perspective of yourself and your academic journey.