How Can a Gap Year Benefit You?
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As graduation nears, students may want to explore other opportunities before continuing their education. In some cases, it could be a good idea to take a gap year. A gap year, also known as a “sabbatical year,” is a year-long academic break that can occur before the transition between high school and college, after graduating college, or before starting a graduate program. During this gap year, people may travel, participate in educational or career development programs, take an internship, or work full-time. While some disagree with students taking a gap year, some advantages can benefit their academic performance and enhance career development.
If you’re considering a gap year, here are some of the benefits of taking one.
It’s a time to reflect
When you’re caught up in studying, attending classes, and other school activities, it’s often challenging to find time to reflect. During a gap year, you can journal, spend more time with friends and family, take on a new hobby, or reflect on your career aspirations. As you engage in these activities, you can clear your mind to better prepare for when you return to school or start your career.
More flexibility
In school, you’re required to go to class at a set time, complete assignments by the deadline, and meet with group members to complete projects and presentations. You lose your time if you’re also working and engaging in other activities, such as sports or clubs. Thankfully, with a gap year, you can reclaim your time by doing things you want to do.
Improve academic performance
A gap year doesn’t imply that you don’t have to do any academic work. On the contrary, it’s a great time to take a few courses to keep your mind fresh for returning to school. You can take classes in person at your local college or online on different topics you want to improve.
More time to travel
Have you ever considered traveling abroad or just taking a road trip across the country? Most people start their careers after graduation, leaving little time to make vacation plans. While there’s nothing wrong with getting a head start in your career, it becomes more challenging to find time to take vacations once you begin working full-time and taking on other obligations. With a gap year, you can take some time to explore the world and all of the opportunities it has to offer.
Opportunities for career development
If you have career aspirations but need to gain work experience, a gap year gives you enough time to seek opportunities. You can take on an internship, volunteer, attend seminars, and more. These experiences can help bulk up your resume, which is beneficial when applying to jobs or graduate school. The HBCU Career Center’s Career Toolkit is a great starting point for getting career advice and other resources, such as our Interview Like A P.R.O. webinar, free resume feedback, Career Insight Tool, etc.
Can prep for graduate school
If you plan to attend graduate school, this year can give you plenty of time to study for exams and prepare your applications. For example, if you noticed your GRE scores were too low for your desired graduate program, you can use this time to study for the exam or take classes at your local college to develop your skills. This tip also applies to high school students needing to improve their ACT or SAT scores or those applying for medical or law school.
Take advantage of gap year programs
Did you know there are gap year programs you can participate in? There are various gap year programs to choose from, such as teaching opportunities, leadership training, cultural exchange programs, and much more. Depending on your availability, you can choose to participate for a semester or an entire year. If you’re looking to have a memorable and fulfilling academic break, these programs may benefit you.
Reduce levels of burnout
Burnout occurs when someone suffers from a physical or mental breakdown due to stressors caused by their personal, professional, or academic life. High school and college students deal with increased stress levels when trying to balance school, work, and social relationships all at once. Increased levels of stress can lead to reduced mental health and poor academic performance. To prevent burnout, a gap year can allow students to clear their minds, relax, and plan for the future.