The end of high school and the beginning of college is an important time in a young person’s life. It represents the end of mandatory schooling, the beginning of adulthood, and for many people, living away from parents for the first time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, this time can be stressful for many. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, many young people have found solace in taking a gap year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWhat Is a Gap Year? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A gap year is a period (doesn’t have to be a year) between high school and college where a student takes time to learn about the world through experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students can take this time to travel abroad, work a job, figure out what they want to study, or work on an artistic project (for example, an acting student gets cast in a play, and would rather act in the play than go to acting school immediately).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: 15+ Best Jobs of the Future: What Jobs Will the World Need In the Future?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gap Year Benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are plenty of reasons why students should take a gap year.\u00a090% of students\u00a0return to education\u00a0after their gap years, so you don’t need to worry about losing\u00a0a taste for learning.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some schools even have programs where you can defer admission. A student can “get in” to a college and not go to school the following semester, instead choosing to take a gap period. Some schools even fund this gap year period, as part of their gap year programs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gap Year Destinations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you’re wondering where to go on a gap year, there are many options. Students have reported enjoying going on gap years to Ireland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Canada. Going to Europe is a good option because they have many youth hostels set up for young people to stay in for cheap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check out our careers and jobs<\/a> section if you’re looking to find the right job for you during your gap year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: 10 Best Cities for Young Professionals & Recent Graduates to Live In<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gap Year Risks <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you’ve found yourself asking the question “should I take a gap year?” you should also know about the potential risks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While students often return to school after their gap years, that doesn’t mean they do well. Many students suffer in their academic performance and a good portion of students don’t graduate. While some schools allow students to defer admission, many of those schools don’t allow students to defer financial aid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Are Your Values? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you’re wondering if you should take a gap year, it’s important to ask yourself what your values are. If you’re dead set on academia and don’t want to see your performance suffer for any reason, it might be best to stay away from a gap year. However, if you value life experiences over academia, a gap year could be best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more college articles like this one,\u00a0check out the education section<\/a> of our blog! And, if you have any questions about gap year programs or thoughts about taking a gap year, let us know below in the comments. Thanks for reading!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: Why is Travel Important? Here Are 7 Important Benefits of Traveling<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"