Gap year, is it for you?

Consider taking a gap year if you need to revitalize your mind, before jumping on board the rigor of college academic life. Most “gappers” use this time to discover their interests and true passion, helping to give them a better idea of what they want to do with their life. 

Challenge yourself
Gappers take the gap year to tackle their challenges and fears, by stepping out of their comfort zone and enjoying new experiences. Always wanted to bungee jump? Dreamed of trekking in the Borneo rainforest? The time is now. Step up to realize how strong you already are. 

Improve your employability
I’m not saying to spend your entire gap year just working to make you more attractive to university admissions officers and future employers. You can gain key skills like communication, teamwork, independence, time management and social skills by meeting new people when you travel the world, or volunteering at an animal right’s association. Be open to learn, and learn you shall. 

Make new friends & useful contacts
You’ll probably meet many people from all walks of life during your gap year. You never know where these friendships may lead you - possibly your future employer, partner, advisor, supplier - or simply friends you can call to crash when you visit their home country. Nothing beats immersing yourself in a culture better than living alongside locals; if you get along with them, they might even make lifelong friends. 

Learn new skills 
From yoga, diving, cooking, teaching English as a foreign language, filmmaking to many more, try and explore new things while having fun at it too! 

Earn money 
Many students decide to work during their gap year. You’ll not only add some dollars to your bank account for your next trip or help pay your university costs, it’ll also boost your skills that’ll look good on your resume. Plus, you get to develop valuable contacts in the industry that’ll help you in the future. 

Reasons not to take a gap year

• If the benefits you can get after taking a gap year seems exciting, you’d want to look at some disadvantages before taking the plunge.
• It might be expensive and you may run out of money (depending on the program you choose and the plan you make)
• Your school friends will be a year ahead of you
• You lose interest to study after an interesting/ distracting break
• Your study skills might diminish after the hiatus making it hard for you to transition back to school

Now that you know the pros and cons of taking a gap year, you can consider if it’s right for you. If you’ll decide to take a gap year, be sure to take advantage of it and not just stay at home, watching Korean dramas all day long. There’re are no other way to know what you can be good at unless you try.