Gap Years and College Students

Posted by Naomi Rockler-Gladen Jul 23, 2008

Ever think about taking a year off beforecollege? For many, this isn't just a fantasy. The so-called "gap year" is becoming so common that industries have sprung up to help young people plan activities during their year off. During the gap year, students do all kinds of things--earn money, travel, do charity or missionary work, teach English or work abroad, and so forth.

Is this the right choice for you? Clearly, there are advantages and disadvantages to the gap year-- and it's not for everyone.

However, my experiences as a professor lead me to think that many students would benefit from this alternative. Seems to me that an awful lot of students are in college because they feel they have to be. A gap year could help students figure out if college is really for them.

And yes, in my experience, many students don't have the maturity they need to get the most out of college. Heck, I'm not completely sure that I had this maturity. A year of having to make your own decisions, and of seeing the world from different perspectives, can make a difference as you begin your college experience.

Keep this in mind: in many countries, it's not the norm to go right from high school to college. For example, in Israel, high school graduates have mandatory military service (three years for boys, two for girls). And after the military, young Israelis commonly travel for months or a year before finally going to college. With that kind of experience in your past, you're bound to be able to handle common college stressors better.

Again, the gap year isn't for everyone. But if you're unsure if college should be your next step, investigate this option, which is growing in popularity quickly.