Regardless of what year they’re in, students may find themselves pondering the idea of a gap year. Is it good or is it bad? Well, there is no right answer to that question. Taking a gap year depends on the individual his or herself. Some may take a gap year, or years, right out of high school while others take one in between programs, such as after graduating from undergrad. Both seem to be very common.
“There are a variety of reasons people may feel taking a gap year is beneficial. By taking a gap year, it can allow the individual to become more successful, such as strengthening their applications by adding in real world experiences,” said Emilio Lorenzo, the assistant director of employer relations at NSU.
There are a lot of pros that come with taking a gap year. A lot of the time, for college students, the most beneficial time comes after undergrad because some students may feel they are not ready for the next step in their life. It allows them to get those experiences they need in order to make their applications stronger and for the individual to be able to go into the workforce for some time before spending even more money. Medical school, law school and other postgraduate programs are very expensive, for students who may not have that type of money, this year could help get those savings.
On the other hand, some people may feel they are not comfortable with continuing their education post high school or undergrad. Whether that means financially, academically or even emotionally, some are just not ready to take that next step yet. There is no shame in taking a year to get 100% ready before making those next steps. Some may feel ashamed of this decision, and it is most certainly not an easy one.
Lorenzo said, “Evaluate the pros and cons. Although there are many pros, there also comes some cons.”
He explained that, by taking a gap year, it can extend the career path for those looking to go into the medical or dental fields. Another downside to a gap year can be the adjustment back into the school routine. For some, this may be difficult. After not going to school for a whole year, getting back into the schedule and routine is not a simple thing to do.
The biggest takeaway is don’t rush into it. Making the decision about whether or not to take a gap year takes time and discussions with other people, such as academic counselors, professors and even loved ones.
As Lorenzo said, “A detailed plan is a successful plan.”
