After high school looks different for every student. Graduating is exciting, but it can also be very overwhelming.
Students are expected almost to have there whole life figured out, they are expected to apply to colleges, think about careers, as well as plan there future all in a short amount of time.
Most of the time, senior year is a big change for everyone. Adding the stress of college before students even feel ready isn’t the best for there mental health or stress levels.
While some people think a gap year is a complete waste of time, others believe it is the smartest choice a student can make.
In my opinion students, should really consider taking a gap year if they have a plan on how they will use it.
A gap year has many benefits, it can simply give your mind a sense of clarity. Many students head straight to college after high school because its often engraved to there heads that its the “next step” no matter what.
However not everybody knows what they want to study at 18.
“Recently I have had a lot of realizations, that the career I wanted to go into originally, wasn’t the best fit for me. I have decided to take a gap year to see what interest me more, and also save money for some of the basic college expenses” Jaeden Erk said.
Choosing a major without direction can lead to the switch of programs multiple times. Which not only costs your time but also money.
A year off can allow students to work, and even volunteer in fields they are curious about. One year off can give them real-world experiences for there future academic choice more informed and confident.
Critics argue that a gap year can lead to a loss of momentum. Some students might struggle to go back to an academic life, after taking a year away from school.
Financially a gap year can really be the smartest idea. Working a full-time for a year allows the chance to save money for simple things like a chunk of tuition or even just text books.
That little amount of money can make you not have to worry about textbooks when you do start your college experience.
College and high school are very different from each other. A gap year can also give you time to adapt to a more independent life, which is one of the key qualities you need to change in college.
In my opinion students should feel less pressure to rush into college. Life isn’t a race, and you should be able to take it at your own pace.
