What is a Gap Year?
It is usually a constructive 12-month break taken from study or work for the individual to pursue other interests, generally different from their regular life.
The term “gap year” is more commonly applied to students who take a year (or less, rarely more) away from their regular studies, usually between high school and college, to better prepare themselves for entering the workforce. As such, a gap year can be any break taken between life stages, whether that is between school and university, between the university and formal work, or when changing careers or going into retirement later on in life.
Why take a gap year?
There are many reasons why you might want to take a gap year. Typically, students view it as an opportunity to gain professional or personal experience and explore personal interests. If you’re considering taking a gap year, it is important to think carefully about whether it’s the right decision for you, and what you might gain from it.
“Don’t go with the flow but be the flow”,
Why go with the flow when you can do something of your own; it is often easy to “go with the flow” in life. However, remember you will be lost in the cattle of herds, you should try something new in life. Step out of your comfort zone. You can’t complain about not achieving your goals by not bringing any change to your daily routine and just going with the flow.
YOUR GAP YEAR CAN BE PRODUCTIVE OR NON-PRODUCTIVE; THE CHOICE IS YOURS
Need a break from it all? Whether you’re in school or working, burnout is real. For those in school, you probably don’t remember a time you weren’t in school. For the workers, you’ve probably had little time to breathe in between graduating and your career. We all experience burnout at one point or another but being on the constant go only accelerates it. And sometimes the only way to avoid burnout is a time-out. Taking a Gap year is a perfect way to hit the reset button and escape constant demands from work or school. It is a year to spend some time doing and finding the things you truly love. But, If you’re applying for a university course or a professional role, you’ll be expected to show that your year was not only fun but also productive and meaningful. So, when planning a gap year, you should consider how various activities will help you develop personally and intellectually. Hence the question arises what do we do to make our gap year more productive and better than others?
Want to take a Productive Gap year?
Here are some ways to make it a productive and fulfilling one :
A gap year is a life-changing experience for any individual and when carefully planned, it can be an enormous boon for professional, academic, and personal development.
You should take this time to improve yourself as a person but on a deeper level. What I’m referring to are your habits. Habits are one of the most fundamental aspects of your life and are a significant factor in how you spend your days. The majority of the things that you do in your daily activities are habits. Thinking about goals—When planning your gap year, consider how taking this time to learn more about yourself and the world can help you grow as a person and prepare you to take on further challenges. Going into the year with personal goals will help you stay focused and work toward success, both during your gap year and when you return.
Taking a gap year can be a challenging decision, and for good reason!
From my personal experience, a gap year is a life-changing adventure. There were countless nights alone with my thoughts. I experienced the joys of deep connection, the pain of loss, the fear of the unknown, and the pride of accomplishment. My gap year pushed me to be a better human, a more empathetic friend, and a more inspired artist. But, it’s not always the same. Sometimes the thought of you doing something different can scare you, you might not feel confident about your decision but it will pass away once you see the result of your efforts. While a gap year isn’t for everyone if you feel the drive to take on the challenge of self-growth through experiential learning, start planning your gap year today!
Activities to make the most of your Gap Year
Travel
One of the most popular things to do in a gap year is travel. This is the time to explore and broaden your mind. Traveling is the greatest investment you can make for yourself. Traveling enhances self-confidence by improving your ability to interact with strangers, speak publicly, be more outgoing and generate social networks. By traveling, you are learning key sociability skills & broadening your sense of community which are invaluable tools for everyday life. This can brighten up your plans. Try solo trips, although if you are a fresher you will probably not be allowed to travel alone solo trips work as a miracle to enhance your social skills and get ahead of your social anxiety. Also Traveling for more than a few weeks allows you to immerse yourself in a new culture and community.
Volunteering
Volunteering is something to consider when planning a gap year. Choosing the right project can be incredibly rewarding. Volunteering can help you make friends, learn new skills, advance your career, build up your confidence and even feel happier and healthier. With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of “GAP YEAR” can be enormous and you can reap the benefits of it. Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. The right match can help you to find friends, connect with the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career.
Giving to others can also help protect your mental and physical health. It can reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose. While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience. Here is the link to volunteer travel programmes to help serve the community: https://www.volunteerindiaispiice.com/gap-year-programs/
Learn a language
It may sound ridiculous but language learning has been scientifically linked to better memory and improved cognition.
Getting a new language under your belt, or improving your fluency in one you already know could make you more qualified for certain positions and you will stand out.
People will also appreciate your efforts and it will also show your aptitude for acquiring new skills.
Internships
Internships are a real resume booster and tend to open doors down the line thanks to the skills learned and relationships built. Take this one step further by doing a gap year internship and you’re sure to stand out in a pile of resumes. Gap year internships allow you access to helping and learning about local communities while giving you tangible work-related skills. No matter what you’re interested in, there is an internship out there for you. Companies need interns to support them with their missions and are happy to have you on board. Find your perfect fit to set you up for success.
In conclusion, students can benefit greatly from taking a gap year, despite what some might think. Students can gain opportunities to develop new life skills such as strengthening soft skills, learning a new language and culture, and finding a hidden passion. Students become mature, it is kind of a break from regular studies, and they grow different kinds of interests. Take this as a challenge and fulfill your goals. The above-given tips or activities to do during your gap year is just a suggestion, the real decision is yours. Do what you think is right for you at the moment!
“Gap year can both be a boon or bane, perspective and self-belief are what matters.”
