Should I take a gap year or not?

Question

I'm outta school at the end of the year, and plan to read English Literature at uni.

Should I take take a gap year first? I'm quite keen to get to uni but ppl think I should take a year out.

And if I do, what should I do apart from travelling?

Answer 1

It's up to you. What do you want to do? If you want to go straight to uni, do that. I couldn't have afforded to go travelling on my own after my A levels. I didn't feel confident or responsible enough to do that either, whereas now, at the end of uni, I am. There's no point doing something just because other people want you to.

If you decide you want to take a year out, you could work, travel, or do voluntary work.

Answer 2

If you were burnt out on education I would say take the gap year but in your case I would advise against it. You are fresh out of one school and it will be a lot easier for you if you continue your study habits at uni instead of having to start afresh in a year. You yourself said you were eager to start uni and I think you should go with that momentum...a lot of people get lazy after a year away from school and never go back which is a pity. And perhaps some people you know will be there which will make things a bit better too. Don't listen to what 'people' say too much. Think on things and do what is best for you. You don't really even have any plans if you do take the year off. Go to uni...have some fun with people your own age and don't grow up so fast. Don't worry the time for jobs and responsibilities will come fast enough. Get your education first and you will have much greater choices in life.

Answer 3

I am taking a gap year now and it has been ok - worked at a publishers for a bit making posters, stuff for books ( gonna study graphic design) and have got my name in a few books and stuff now. I stopped working there a few weeks ago though and I am a bit bored now but I am still going to do a few more things and at the end i want to do a bike trip for charity. I think a gap year is quite good though coz you have a rest from school and everything like that. But if you do take a gap year make sure you are doing things and not just watching tv and stuff (like i'm starting to do now), or try and get a job or something, coz it might get boring (depending on where you are)

Answer 4

If you can afford to take a gap year, it would be a great experience. Since your area of interest is English Literature, could you research some of your favorite writers? Maybe their homes have been turned into "house museums" and you could volunteer as a tour guide or for other duties there? Or could you volunteer in a library archives/special collection that houses some of the papers of your special authors?

Along with travel, those would be interesting experiences that would give you some new insights into the literature world. Sounds like it could be fun as well as being a unique preparation for your further studies.

Answer 5

I would say that a gap year is a very good idea. A lot of people say that it is a stupid thing to do but it really isn't and I wish I had taken one BEFORE I went to college.

I think the main idea of a gap year is to travel. You get to see other people, cultures and countries. I would imagine that getting an idea of how the rest of the world lives would give you an extra bit of perspective on life in general and possibly help you decide on your further moves.

I was talked out of a gap year and ended up choosing a college at the last minute and took a course that I ended up hating.

After that I took my gap year and I am now on gap year 6. I am travelling around Europe at the moment and working many different jobs to support myself and to save up some money. I would much rather be doing this than sitting at the same job every day, but that's just me.

Just remember: Life is for living and enjoying!

Answer 6

I think i am the only person against taking a gap year. If you are confident that you will be back in school in a year, then i think its a good decision , to be able to do things most people cant. But I've seen many people take time out, and struggle to make it back.

Maybe studying abroad would be a good idea.

Answer 7

I don't think that in your circumstances a gap year is the best idea. You are unlikely to find a good job in the current employment market - most people who are lucky enough to have the choice are choosing to go to university. The job market will be much better after you graduate (I hope!). In terms of getting experience, getting summer placements or jobs will be much more attractive to potential employers than working for a year in a crappy job you found in the middle of a recession.

Answer 8

If you trust yourself strongly, take the year. Work, or travel, and you'll gain a little maturity before college.

I didn't, and the freedom of college wore me down. I was 17 when I graduated from high school and started college.
I drank, partied, and had a great time, but my grades suffered. I had to drop out and work for a while, but I did finally mange to finish. It took me 9 years. I paid for all of it by myself.

Answer 9

I think its great to take a gap year.. people spend too long in education without time out to experience the world which can cause them to be totally out of touch with the world.

Hmmm.. I know a guy who went to work with people with learning disabilities in a commune/college type place- think it was called camphill.. he helped people work with the land.

Answer 10

I'm taking a year out and doing a volunteer project. I found loads of ideas at gapyear.com.

http://www.gapyear.com

I'm doing an orphanage project with Global Volunteer Projects. I found them on gapyear.com.

They have journalism projects to if you want to do something with literature?

http://www.globalvolunteerprojects.org