After graduation the possibilities are endless. Go straight to college, or take a year off? Both options have many benefits and drawbacks. It all depends on the path you have and want for yourself.
Taking a gap year helps prevent burnout and provides students with a way to learn about themselves and life outside of the school environment. Part of the appeal of taking a gap year is earning a year’s worth of money instead of draining it at college with titution, housing, meal plans, and the other everyday expenses of life.
According to a Harvard College article these are the questions that you should be asking yourself about taking a gap year.
Your answers can help determine whether a gap year is for you. If you find yourself wanting time for personal growth, skill development, and new experiences, a gap year may be a good option.
Gap years can carry a stereotype that students who take them are lazy and unmotivated. However taking a gap year could be the perfect break for many people. Burnout can cause more damage for students than taking a break can.
According to the National Library of Medicine, “The effects of burnout can have a significant impact on their mental health and impede their academic performance.”
The article also refers to burnout as three key terms: exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficany. These outcomes can make the year at college ineffective, and in some cases the classes will need to be retaken. Taking a gap year can save you from the debt of burnout.
Taking the gap year can give you the power to take on college with all of your strength. College is a huge adjustment from high school, and takes a huge amount of effort so tackling the change with all your force is the best way.
However the opposite can be true. Going to college straight away, and even some students take on a summer semester leaving just a few weeks after graduating. The decision on when to go to college is truly a personal decision and should be decided by yourself, and what will be the best move for you to complete college.
There are many reasons to start college right away according to Rustic Pathways, some of the reasons are you will still be in school mode, you will finish college sooner, there is built in structure, and an instant community.
Continuing education while still being in “school mode” is an easier transition. It can be easier to put your head down and medal through school work instead of trying to get back into the habit of it. Being in the routine of class, then homework helps keep the grind light, and familiar.
The sooner you start the sooner you end. Taking a gap year will give you a break, but it will delay when you are finished with schooling. Your decision on when to start college can depend on when you want to end, and how much extra schooling you want. Starting right away can also give you an extra edge of experience against people who started later.
Moving out is scary, and difficult. Of course moving out comes with excitement, but it can also have anxiety looming around. Having the built in structure of college makes the transition easier. Moving to college also grants independence, and lets you create your own path, and own rules.
The decision to take a gap year or stay on the grind of college is deeply personal, and should be thought about seriously, and every aspect of your life and what you want your life to be should be taken into consideration. The honest answer is listen to yourself, and make the best decision for you and your future.
