Most high school graduates have only one thing on their mind: college. Those graduates spend so much time applying to colleges and wondering what they actually want to do with their life. Most of the United States graduates feel like they should wait a year before attending college. This is considered a “gap year.” “Increasingly, school leavers are taking time out from study or formal work after completing high school-- often referred to as a ‘gap year’ (involving structured activities such as "volunteer tourism" and unstructured activities such as leisure)”(Martin). “Many students pursue volunteering during their gap time, and hundreds of organizations offer the chance to be of service domestically and abroad” (Sarouhan). A gap year can be …show more content…
But there are many countries where a gap year is encouraged and forced. "There is no point in taking a gap year if you do not plan to make the most of your time off," says Prakriti Malhotra, Director of Operations for Gap-Guru, a U.K.-based gap year organizer specializing in trips to India (Tomer). Gap year programs are offered at many universities and would be the best choice to make when deciding to take a year off. With a gap year program, it gives you a way to learn and experience new things even though you are not in school. “’A gap year program offers a valuable break from the relentlessness of the education system and gives students a greater perspective on their own life and the world around them,’ says Malhotra. ‘Gap year travelers often return with greater confidence and a much more open-minded and mature approach to life, which can help them to gain greater focus for college life and improve their interpersonal skills for their future career.’ Plus, students get to travel to incredible locations (literally, pick a spot on the globe) and discover new cultures, often while making a difference in underprivileged communities” …show more content…
The answer is no; many gap year programs offer a college credit. The take-a-break-first concept got a “high-profile boost when Princeton University began its own "bridge year" program last fall. Twenty Princeton freshmen spent nine months this past year not in class but instead working in one of several overseas service programs” (Grose). So even colleges are on board for this gap year program. However some people think that trying to go back to college after a break will be difficult, but they did it in high school after fall or summer break. Parents also have the concern that you will finish college much later than your peers. The average time to receive a degree is about six years, so even with taking a gap year, the students will still be around the same age as their peers. Some people may also realize that a gap year is not for them, and that is okay. It is recommended to do your research before making any kind of
The go-to-college tsunami has given young students who really don’t know why they are there or where they are going. Students been told that college is their only option and they will land better jobs and earn more money with a college degree. However, College is not always the logical next step of high school graduates. There are plenty of honorable and viable choices for the year after high school. The decision not to go to college should not necessarily be viewed in negative way. Many people could earn money by simply going to work in a field they want to explore. There are numerous non-college choices right out of high school such as military service, hospital aide, doing mission work in Central or South America, becoming a nanny, or cultural
From my experience most people think they know what a gap year is, some of those who think they know, infact have a skewed idea of what a gap year is. So, for the sake of everyone being on the same page, let 's go over a typical gap year; a gap year is a time that graduating high schoolers take off between graduation and when they enroll in college. The amount of time they take off varies, but most commonly around a year is taken off. There are many reasons that make a gap year a good idea for someone, such as: needing a break from school to “reset” in a way or not knowing what you want to do for a career and instead of jumping into college and working for a degree that you likely won 't use. In fact only 27% of college grads have jobs related
But do kids really belong in college after twelve years of schooling? “The National Association for College Admission counseling has suggested that the practice of taking a gap year is on the rise.” (collegeparents.org) A gap year, is when students take a year off college. What the student decides to do in this case, is completely up to them. This topic is debatable for me. I think that students will slack off if they get that one year off. The gap year is just like a summer vacation, only extended. Students struggle to get back into the habit of going to high school, so I believe they would do the same even if the situation was going to college. A year off may be a good thing for some, just as it probably would have been for Linda’s son. However, I do believe that taking so much time off would be a huge problem for most of
Those raised in America know and miss summer break. However, with a century’s worth of studies piling up, people are now calling for change. Lack of structure during summer break lets unguided children make poor decisions, and the effects of the break carry into the school year and affect students and teachers alike. Although a long summer break has been standard in America for years now, studies are showing that it has a detrimental impact on students.
What do you think about going to school year round with little breaks here and there, but not your traditional three month summer break? Year round schooling has been a decision argued with the government, teachers, principals and parents. Many kids and adults like to relax on their three month break. Many students are used to having two week winter break, one week spring break, and three months of summer break. Overall, one three month break would benefit than having three-week breaks broken up throughout the school year.
You’re coming back from a well needed break from school and you feel invigorated and ready to start. The first few weeks are the hardest to adjust to because your brain hasn’t been used throughout the break. The dilemma with breaks, such as summer break, is that one loses valuable information from past academic courses that are essential to ones progress towards higher education. Imagine a whole year without learning and then coming back to intense rigorous classes at a University. Seniors at high schools over the nation have the opportunity of taking a year off before committing to a college. This is known as a Gap Year; instead of directly enrolling into a University many students feel the need to take a break before starting their education towards their future career. Yes, a Gap Year does sound pleasing and beneficial, but in the long run it can be damaging towards ones future. Students should be aware of the ramification a Gap Year brings, such as, the possibility for enrolling in a graduate school is lower, academic growth is reduced, and social obstacles become present.
A gap year is a time for teens to take off between high school and college. A gap year is used to travel, work, volunteer or study. In general, a gap year has many advantages. This year out of a school is a good time for students to explore the world and gain valuable life skills and experience while learning to be independent. Teens in the U.S. should adopt the British custom of taking a gap year between high school and college in order to gain perspective on personal values and career goals as well as gaining needed life experiences without the pressure and expectations of a school environment. A gap year is a time for students to become independent and learn a sense of responsibility before entering into university life.
A gap year can be an opportunity to mature and gain life experience - both good reasons for looking into the options available. However it’s important that a gap year shouldn’t be viewed as an extended holiday, instead it should be an opportunity to learn useful career skills and experience new things. If a gap year is spent relaxing your mind, but sitting on your bottom, then it was well wasted. (Mohn) Although it may seem the rest that was needed was fulfilled, your mind will not have the willpower to go back as a full time student, especially if you are unsure with what you want to major in. Only take a gap year if it is structured with either missionary activity, work to pay for college, or traveling the world to open up your mind.
Exactly this “Gap” is required. This terminology has now become a trend amongst the high school student. So what exactly is taking a gap year? Well, taking a gap year after high school is basically taking a year off, as a break between high school and college. Different people have different opinions whether a student should take a gap year or shouldn’t take a gap year.
A gap year is a period, typically one academic year, taken by a student as a break between secondary school and higher education. Many students consider taking a gap year because they are longing to get work experience and be sure of a career path before they make the decision to head off to college. During those one or two years off before heading to college, students have the opportunity to travel the world, work, experience different jobs, or simply take a break from school. Some parents do not agree with their young adults taking a break from school because they worry that their child will not do something productive with their free time. Although students taking a gap year run the risk of becoming inattentive or accustomed to making some quick cash, and not returning to school, there are numerous benefits for a young adults. young adults to take a gap year off before heading to college; for instance, many colleges want students that are mature and have some work experience.
Students would have a lot of pressure to deal with if these breaks because, it doesn’t give them time to do homework, or having fun only to realize the time was short. There is a better answer, if students have time for a three month summer, then they have time to get a job or apply for a college. It takes a long time to write all the application work and then even worse, time to get a interview. School would hinder their time to get something set up, which it could ruin the chance of getting that dream job, or being accepted in a college. Now, if students can’t get summer school, or get time to set up a job/college themselves, then how do students enjoy their free
Summer break should be longer because students can work more, spend time with family members, and students can rest their minds. If summer break were was longer, then students could work more and as long as they wanted to work. Students could get more money when working while on summer break. Students would like working on summer break to get money because they could buy more stuff with their money. Cause the students would have more money from working on their hole summer break.
According to “Facts About A Gap Year,” the definition of a gap year is “a break typically taken between high school and college that might include travel, work, study, volunteering, or research.” Several colleges encourage their admitted students to take a gap year before starting their freshman year. Done the right way, a gap year can help students excel, while if a student completely puts aside their responsibilities, it can plummet their success in college. Students who take a gap year after high school not only mature, but also are prepared for college and the rest of their lives.
Shellenbarger, Sue. “More Students Taking” Gap Year" Before College – WSJ.com." WSJ Online Article. 29 Oct. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. This source includes some statics, including some testimonials from college students about taking a gap year and how that prepared them for college and the workforce.
Students who take a gap year regularly go on to be successful in college. Even though people might not go back after that year is over, everybody should think about the idea of taking a year off because it has a many amount of benefits and 90 percent of students who take a year off go back to college and graduate and it gives you a fresh start entering college.