The Essential Leap Year

The end of high school is a joyous time for students, as they focus upon the empty canvas that is their future. The possibilities are endless really, as there are countless paths to follow. Such a time can be quite overwhelming though, as choices made now may have great impact in the long run. This brings us to the debate of whether to jump right back onto the education train or to pause after high school to fully consider all of the options. A gap year can be very favourable though, as it provides time to pursue other interests such as travel, work, and to properly plan how to engage in post-secondary education. Ultimately the decision is up to the individual student whether the gap year is necessary, but the points in support of the time off cannot be ignored. In order to maximize one’s potential for success in their post-secondary studies and lives thereafter; it is highly beneficial to take a year off between high school and college or university.

An exciting aspect about taking a gap year is that there really are no requirements; you can choose to spend the time however you wish. Nevertheless, one of the most important benefits to a gap year is the self-enrichment it can bring to those who take advantage of it. Meaningful ways to fill the time range from altruistic activities such as volunteer work abroad, to simply gaining a broader horizon on life. Another popular option is using the time off for travel. There is no better way to gain perspective on how the world truly works than to experience other people, places, and cultures. There is also no better age to travel the world than when you are young, healthy, and have time to spare. Additionally, taking a year off provides students with the time to improve upon any marks they will need to submit to a post-secondary institution.
Even Harvard University, arguably the most prestigious school in North America, recommends that taking a year off after high school is a wise decision for prospective students (Harvard). The benefits of taking a year off to fully experience life are priceless, and only with a set amount of time aside can one achieve this.

Using the gap year as a time to gain work experience is one of the top reasons a student would choose to do so. Both the students and the employers benefit in this situation. Perhaps the greatest benefit of being employed during a gap year is the amount one’s employability is improved. Nothing could be more appealing to a potential employer than a candidate with both proper education and work experience. Some students find it hard to gain substantial work experience, particularly work that is relevant to their future career, while enrolled in college or university. Schedule conflicts and heavy course loads are often to blame. Setting aside a year to focus solely on work is very beneficial in this case. Additionally, any earnings gained during this time could even be used to supplement future tuition fees or expenses throughout time at school. Working provides the perfect setting for the enhancement of interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills as well. Theories that are taught to students in class will make much more sense when they are applicable to similar experiences during employment. A gap year spent working fosters better understanding for a student, and helps them to find relevance in classroom theory at college or university.

The list of reasons in favour of a gap year is impressive, however it must be noted that there are potential drawbacks. The most threatening aspect of a gap year is the opportunity cost associated with it. In this example, the opportunity cost is defined as what a student could potentially be sacrificing while enjoying the year off. In particular, the opportunity cost is in terms of time and money. It can be argued that the gap year, when it is poorly managed, is wasted time that a student could be gaining valuable experience or earning money. Another potential drawback is that the year off will negatively affect the motivation and progress of students. Once a young person gets a taste of living life exactly how they please they may find it difficult to revisit formal education after a gap year. An unplanned gap year can prove to be a disappointing waste of time, and also possibly expensive. However, with proper planning the benefits reaped prevail over the drawbacks, so it is therefore important to know how exactly you are going to spend the gap year. Success is more likely when one has a proper vision of what exactly they want to achieve. Goals help to give clear direction in the lives of students, and may even save time in the long run. Continuing straight to college or university from high school might be a mistake; especially if you aren’t one hundred percent sure it is exactly what you want. Valuable time is wasted if a student recognizes that the program they chose is not right for them, when they could have taken the time to properly weigh out the options. Having the time to plan goals or a vision gives students a sense of accomplishment. Once the journey into college or university has begun and each goal is ticked off the list, a feeling of success is obtained no matter how small the degree. Each level of success only propels one towards higher levels. When talking about students this is especially true; and a gap year is the perfect opportunity to plan how to squeeze the most juice out of the fruit of life.

There are many reasons why a student may choose to take a gap year. For the purposes of travel and volunteering we see self-enrichment and value added to the lives of students. In terms of the time spent gaining work experience, it is known that the advantage of heightened employability is gained. Whether the time is spent pursuing personal interests or surfing the internet, taking a year off before beginning post-secondary education will prove to be beneficial for the student who chooses to do so.
Works Cited
Harvard University Official school website

http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/prospective/applying/time_off/timeoff.html

Cited: Harvard University Official school website http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/prospective/applying/time_off/timeoff.html