Should I take a gap year? (1 Viewer)

[Iccehy]

I'm a recent 2015 graduate and im thinking of taking a gap year for the following reasons:
- I have a lot of interests that i haven't pursued enough to know if i could do it as a course
- I still want time to explore my interests
- My mental health (I have anxiety and mild depression) is still unstable
- I want to earn some money

Should i take a gap year?

Other questions:
If i do take a gap year, do i apply? what do i do?

 

[astroman]

Re: Should i take a gapyera

Whatever floats your goat.

 

[BLIT2014]

Re: Should i take a gapyera

If you intend to take a gap year, you should still apply and then defer an offer.

 

[Queenroot]

Re: Should i take a gapyera

Take it
University work can be a huge workload and overwhelming (in comparison to high school) so while you're in gap year make sure you don't lose your ability to study.

 

[bangali]

Re: Should i take a gapyera

As someone who took an awesome gap year this year, my answer would be a resounding yes. My year started bad because everything fell through and I ended up with essentially endless free time (an aimless gap year is the worst), but I quickly picked up more unusual jobs and interests, and I've landed in a field I wouldn't have because I did a gap year.

Pros of gap years:
- makes uni financially viable
- may find it easier to get part-time work, or more skilled/relevant part-time work, during uni (especially if you've done TAFE qualifications)
- can travel, volunteer, do what you want and see lots of the world while you're still young and don't have a job/kids to get in your way
- gives you time to mature (I needed that ) and think about what you really want in life
- you can be different from everyone else YAYYY!

Cons:
- may get out of the habit of studying so it'll be harder to pick up afterwards
- may end up never going to Uni (<---- THIS: the rate of people who extend their gap year eternally is ridiculously high)
- may get into habits of laziness and end up achieving nothing of what you wanted to achieve (I should know ); I reckon it's better to do the hard work first, and then relax and holiday when you get older
- everything takes a year longer
- if you're travelling, it's expensive

If you end up deciding to do it, make SURE that you have stuff lined up. What exactly are you going to do? This year shouldn't be a year of sleeping and partying, but one where you set yourself to learn and develop in interesting and difficult ways. Step out of your comfort zone and make it a year of growth and exploration - you'll get places you didn't expect.

 

[dan964]

Re: Should i take a gapyera

If you intend to take a gap year, you should still apply and then defer an offer.

agree, otherwise it will be a pain to reapply.
Personally, a gap year needs structure; so be sure that you know what you are actually doing for the year, have a plan; use it for something productive if possible.

(That is what I did)

 

[dan964]

I'm a recent 2015 graduate and im thinking of taking a gap year for the following reasons:
- I have a lot of interests that i haven't pursued enough to know if i could do it as a course
- I still want time to explore my interests
- My mental health (I have anxiety and mild depression) is still unstable
- I want to earn some money

Should i take a gap year?

Other questions:
If i do take a gap year, do i apply? what do i do?

considering your mental health, ask yourself what kind of gap year you are looking at, one that could develop you as a person, whether that be in maturity, mentally, spirtually or just something that is beneficial, i.e. building morer character, create more friendships or for a new experience.

 

[nerdasdasd]

I'm a recent 2015 graduate and im thinking of taking a gap year for the following reasons:
- I have a lot of interests that i haven't pursued enough to know if i could do it as a course
- I still want time to explore my interests
- My mental health (I have anxiety and mild depression) is still unstable
- I want to earn some money

Should i take a gap year?

Other questions:
If i do take a gap year, do i apply? what do i do?

I'd say that you should explore your interests and fix your problems before you get back to studying ?

 

[willmoroney]

yes

 

[joshuaeconomos]

Thanks for your help

 

[StandoutfromGap]

Hi there, there is always the option of looking into programs that you want to undertake during that gap year (if that's what you're looking at doing) or write down things that you want to pursue and list them out. If you end up finding a program or have a list in front of you it will make it easier for you compare and choose between them.

If you want more information you might like to follow this page, its still kind of new but it serves to share different insights and articles over gap years. https://www.facebook.com/Stand-Out-From-the-Gap-178176029282444/

 

[jackyjack96]

I think for anyone with mental health risk (usually exacerbated by the HSC...thanks department of education) a GAP year is a good idea to get a bit of perspective on life, realise your life isn't school-uni-work, and just take time off to put things in perspective. You can always defer uni!!!