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Should I take a gap year?

What is a gap year?

• Gap years can be taken by anyone, for varying lengths of time

• You can choose to travel, take internships, go on an adventure, take summer classes, volunteer, work, found a start-up etc.

• The best time to take a gap year is different for each individual

Benefits of taking a gap year

1.

Develop your transferable skills

2.

Raise your cultural awareness

3.

Increase your confidence and independence

4.

Learn a new craft

5.

Gain work experience

6.

Save money for university

7.

Improve your language skills

8.

Gives you time to decide if university is right for you

9.

Stand out from other applicants

Disadvantages of taking a gap year

1.

It can be hard to justify

2.

Travelling alone can be difficult

3.

It can be very expensive

4.

You could lose momentum

5.

You may become distracted

6.

You could fall behind

What if I already applied to a university?

1.

Contact the admissions office, state why you want to defer and what you intend to do

2.

It's up to the university to assess the case

Can I take a gap year during university?

If you are already in university, you should:

• Think about why you want to take time out from your course

• You can take a ‘mini gap year' and use the summer holidays to travel, volunteer or work abroad

Should I take a year out after university?

• A gap year can enable you to build the skills employers are looking for

• Your experience can give your CV a boost

• However, consider whether you have the ability to pay off your student loans and general living costs on time

• If you're applying for jobs/ school: Consider the timing of your applications, the recruitment processes and start dates

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