Have you ever stopped and considered taking a gap year? Whether it’s to earn some money working, traveling, taking care of family or something else, gap years are a voluntary structured break from schooling. Taking a gap year is shown to be helpful and harmful – it is dependent on the student. Some students might take one year and realize that they aren’t motivated enough to go back, while others might take the break they need and are ready to jump back in.
As a sophomore student, the thought of taking a gap year has crossed my mind more than once. I first thought that I would take one fresh out of high school, but it wasn’t the right time. I also thought I would take one between my freshman and sophomore year, but that didn’t seem right either. For me, it’s never seemed like the right thing to do. I’m afraid that if I take the risk of pausing my academic career, I will lose momentum and not come back.
Taking gap years hasn’t always been common. Like everything else, it has evolved over the years to what it is today. The very first records of gap years happened just after World War II, according to the Gap Year Association. Men were recruited into the armed forces for two years after graduating high school, forcing their college education to be delayed. The United Kingdom has records of gap years in the 1960s and 1970s, where students would take a year off after high school for a reason of their choosing (travel, self-care, etc.). Since then, the concept has expanded immensely.
There has been a significant increase in gap years since the pandemic. Students began to put off college more. CNBC wrote an article in 2021 stating that some students couldn’t afford to enroll, some were worried about condensing their college experience, and some were simply stressed by COVID-19. The pandemic caused a lot of uproar over gap years. It shifted perception from a break from school to a break with purpose. Students were able to mentally recover, take time to explore careers or earn some extra money. During COVID, the percentage of students who took a gap year before attending college jumped from 1.8% to 4.9%. Since then, it has shrunken back down to 2-3%, as reported by Gap Year Solutions.
History major student Reva Strawn felt unsure about her future. “I realized I needed a break from my routine,” she said. During this break, she decided to pursue education abroad in India. Reva was able to take classes like economics, intro to Hindi, and public health, and to complete a research project on the rural areas of Pune. “The campus was so beautiful,” she said. “Most days, we had class outside under a banyan tree.” She felt the experience was helpful and said, “It gave me time to find myself and choose my educational path.”
There are benefits and drawbacks to taking a gap year, and it’s important to consult both before reaching a decision. Benefits might include preventing academic burnout, allowing time to mature, clarifying academic/career goals, earning money for academics, and gaining real-world experience. That said, drawbacks might include struggling to return to academics, loss of academic momentum/motivation, financial changes, life changes, and a lack of structure during time off.
I have always considered taking a gap year. I work insanely hard and spread myself way too thin, so taking a break has always sounded very appealing. I seriously considered taking a break after I graduated high school, but I was afraid that I would lose momentum and not want to return. I was pressured by my family to stay in school. Then I considered taking one after my freshman year, but it made no sense to me. I briefly wondered if I should take one when I’m done with Cuesta, before I transfer, but something still seems off. Ultimately, I’m afraid that I’m the type of person who would take a break and never return.
If you are wondering whether or not a gap year is right for you, there are resources available. Cuesta College offers free academic and personal counseling where you can talk to a professional. You should also consider your long-term plans, finances, and any other factors that might be affected. Have a plan, don’t go in blind. Remember that student paths aren’t always linear.
